Sumedha, jeweller Rashmikant Durlabhji's wife, abducted from Jaipur more than a fortnight ago was on Sunday rescued from Faridabad in neighbouring Haryana after a joint operation involving the Rajasthan and Delhi police.

There was an exchange of fire between the police and the abductors, but no casualty. Sumedha (60) is safe, hale and hearty, an official spokesman said.

Sumedha was abducted on February six when she went for her regular morning walk near her residence.

Within a few hours the abductors called demanding a ransom of Rs 25 million (Rs 2.50 crore).

On Sunday, her husband clarified that no ransom had been paid to the abductors, one of  whom claimed to have contested the 1991 parliamentary election from Chatra (now in Jharkhand).

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot heaved a sigh of relief as the issue was bound to rock the state assembly in the session beginning on Monday.

He thanked the Rajasthan and the Delhi police for rescuing the woman whose abduction was causing great concern among the affluent and influential jewellers' fraternity.