Bareilly: Mumbai-based comedian Sunil Pal on Monday appeared before a Meerut court to record his statement in connection with his alleged kidnapping case in Dec 2024. Pal said the incident was genuine, not fabricated, and claimed he continues to receive threats pressuring him to withdraw his complaint.Speaking to TOI after recording his statement, Pal said: “I am getting threat calls asking me to say that the entire incident was staged. Police have identified 10 accused in the case. But so far, only two have been arrested. Perhaps they are the ones threatening me.”Police confirmed the investigation is ongoing and efforts are underway to trace the remaining suspects.The case was transferred from Mumbai to Meerut after an FIR was registered in the city. Pal alleged he was lured to Meerut on the pretext of a show, then abducted, blindfolded and held hostage for nearly 24 hours in Dec 2024. During captivity, he said he was threatened with a “poison-filled injection” and forced to transfer ₹7.5 lakh as ransom. Investigators later found part of the money was used to purchase gold from local jewellers.Recalling his long association with Meerut, Pal said: “I have been coming here for nearly 25 years, but this is the first time something like this happened to me. I have full faith in Meerut police that they will uncover the truth.”It may be noted that actor Mushtaq Khan was also kidnapped on the pretext of being invited to an event by the same gang. His kidnapping took place on Nov 20 in Delhi, and he was taken to Bijnor. The gang also attempted to target Shakti Kapoor using a similar modus operandi.
