Panaji, Oct 27 (IANS) A non resident Indian (NRI) who is wanted in Britain for allegedly kidnapping and assaulting a businessman has been held here.

Deputy superintendent of police Umesh Gaonkar said that Ajay Kaushal, 50, was arrested under section 41 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) after the police contacted their counterparts in Britain and confirmed his identity.

"We found Kaushal's identification documents on him, which helped us confirm his identity and corroborate it with Lancashire police," Gaonkar said, adding that Kaushal would be handed over to the British police on their arrival.

Kaushal's arrest was accidental. His companion, a 39-year-old Briton William Scott, was found dead in a hotel room in the resort village of Colva, 40 km from here. The hotel authorities had reported Scott's death to the police, and the authorities were alerted to Kaushal's identity while investigating that death.

Kaushal is listed on the Lancashire police website as a wanted man.

Kaushal, who used to live in the Stretford area in Manchester, is accused of kidnapping a British businessman at Burnley some six years ago. According to Lancashire police, the businessman was later beaten up, and then released on payment of a 100,000 pound ransom.

Kaushal was booked but failed to appear before the Preston Crown court, where he was sentenced to 15 years in prison. "We do believe that he has fled the country," said a missing persons website based in Britain.