KARACHI, May 2: Three men accused in a kidnapping for ransom case were indicted by an anti-terrorism court here on Wednesday.

Abdul Ghaffar Ansari, Rana Mohammad Khalid and Moin Ayub have been charged with allegedly abducting Farhan Ali for ransom within the remits of the Korangi Industrial Area police station in October 2009.

The judge Bashir Ahmed Khoso of ATC-I, who is conducting the trial, read out the charges against the accused. However, they pleaded not guilty and opted to contest the case. The court summoned the prosecution witnesses and directed them to record their statements on May 24.

According to the prosecution, the victim was kidnapped on October 30, 2009, after which his captors demanded Rs3 million for his release. Later, the amount was reduced to Rs250,000 and the victim was released after payment of the sum to his captors. The police apprehended the accused persons on November 13, 2009.

A case (FIR No.919/2009) was registered under Sections 356-A (kidnapping for ransom) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code read with Section 7 of the Anti-terrorism Act.