Veteran actor Mushtaq Khan, widely recognized for his role in the Akshay Kumar-starrer Welcome, has survived a traumatic kidnapping incident that unfolded on the Delhi-Meerut highway. The actor was lured under the guise of attending an award show in Meerut on November 20, only to face a harrowing ordeal involving abduction and extortion.
Khan had been invited to the supposed award event with flight tickets and an advance payment credited to his account. Upon arriving in Delhi, he was picked up by individuals claiming to take him to the venue. Instead, he was driven to a remote location near Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh. There, the actor was held hostage for nearly 12 hours, during which he was tortured and coerced into transferring money.
The abductors demanded a ransom of ₹1 crore, but managed to withdraw only ₹2 lakh from Khan’s and his son’s bank accounts.
Khan’s opportunity to escape came at dawn when he heard the azaan from a nearby mosque. He bravely fled from the secluded house where he was held and sought help from locals. The police were quickly informed and ensured his safe return home.
According to his business partner, Shivam Yadav, Khan and his family were deeply shaken by the incident but determined to take legal action. “Mushtaq sir was always certain he would file an FIR once he gathered himself. We have all the necessary evidence, including flight tickets, bank transactions, and CCTV footage from the airport,” Yadav stated.
An FIR has been filed in Bijnor, and authorities are actively investigating the case. Khan reportedly remembers the neighborhood and the house where he was detained, which could aid the police in tracking down the perpetrators.
The incident bears unsettling similarities to the recent kidnapping of comedian Sunil Pal, who was also tricked into attending a fake event. The pattern of luring public figures under false pretenses has raised concerns about a possible syndicate targeting celebrities for extortion.
“We were unaware of Sunil Pal’s case until it was highlighted in the media,” Yadav revealed. “It is shocking that two prominent figures from the entertainment industry experienced such terrifying incidents. We hope this raises awareness and prompts better protection for everyone in the industry.”
As of now, Mushtaq Khan is recuperating and expected to share his experience with the media in the coming days. Fans and colleagues have expressed relief at his safe return and hope for swift justice against the culprits.
This alarming trend underscores the need for heightened vigilance and security measures for public figures, particularly when attending unfamiliar events.
