Varanasi: Five men accused in kidnapping of a city-based astrologer were arrested today by the Uttar Pradesh Police, days after he was released reportedly after paying a ransom of Rs 42 lakhs to his captors.

The arrest was made by the Special Task Force of the state police after tracking the mobile phone locations of the accused.

Laxman Das was kidnapped on September 24 from Lanka area of the city and was released a few days ago after paying a ransom of Rs 42 lakh, Superintendent of Police Amit Pathak said in a press conference here.

From their possession, police found Rs 10.60 lakh cash and some country made guns, the SP said.

Six more persons involved in the case are absconding and police have launched a manhunt for them, Pathak said.

Shailendra Dubey, Rishi Dubey, Danish, Deepak Tiwari and Shri Ram Pathak were arrested.

“STF has been tracking the kidnappers through mobile surveillance and they were found talking about making a few more kidnappings,” Pathak said.

However, Das has denied paying ransom to his captors.