However, his younger brother Subhash Kumar Paul denied receiving any such message.

Negotiations between the gang and his family have been going on to secure the release of the businessmen, said a relative of the victim and a businessman yesterday seeking anonymity.

Wholesale grocer Sanatan Paul, 45, was kidnapped by an armed gang from his home at Natun Bazar in the town at about 11.00pm on Tuesday.

Law enforcers have failed to make any headway in rescuing him in the last two days.

Police said they were trying to rescue the businessman.

"I have already sent a police team to Sheikhpara in Kushtia to find out the addresses of the owner and driver of the microbus the gang used during the abduction," said Mirza Sanafat Ali, officer-in-charge of Sadar police station. Police seized the vehicle at Abaipur village in Sailakupa upazila of Jhenidah district.

During the abduction, the gang also injured Biswajit Saha, 25, with gunshots as he tried to resist them. Biswajit, who worked for the businessman as a staff, is now undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.