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KBC-inspired kidnappers busted in Delhi

New Delhi police have rescued a business tycoon from a group of kidnappers who claim to have been inspired by the TV show Kaun Banega Crorepati, officials said Friday.

Businessman S C Batra was rescued Thursday in the New Delhi suburb of Gurgaon in an operation involving hundreds of armed detectives.

One of the gang members was caught but five others escaped, including a sacked policeman.

"The gangsters had demanded Rs 20 million, scaled it down to 10 million rupees and said the ransom could be paid in instalments over a month during which Batra would remain locked in their custody," a police spokesman said.

Following his release, Batra said his captors were inspired by KBC.

"While people become rich on KBC from Monday to Thursday we will become rich on Fridays by kidnapping a crorepati ," Batra quoted one of his captors as saying.

Batra, who has a flourishing business, was abducted on October 13 -- a Friday.

His release coincided with the broadcast of the latest KBC show, in which a 24-year-old Bombay student became the first jackpot winner.

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