Six people, including four men with criminal records, were arrested for allegedly kidnapping a real estate businessman and extorting Rs 2.9 lakh from him, the Bengaluru police said on Tuesday.
The police identified the arrested accused as Rajesh Kumar alias Appi or J D Mara Appi, 32; Srinivas alias Bombay Seena, 43; Naveen, 35; Lokesh alias Loki, 34; Somaiah, 31; and Yukesh, 28. Four of the accused, excluding Naveen and Yukesh, are registered ‘rowdy sheeters’ with criminal records across various Bengaluru police stations, Seemant Kumar Singh, Police Commissioner, Bengaluru city, said.
According to the police, the case originated from a financial dispute involving realtor Manoj Kumar, who had lent Rs 1.2 lakh to film director Nanda Kishore through Rajesh Kumar last year. When Manoj demanded repayment this year, Rajesh allegedly planned to kidnap his creditor.
“After learning that Manoj had recently earned substantial money from his real estate business, Rajesh decided to kidnap him rather than return the borrowed amount,” a police officer investigating the case said.
On August 26, Rajesh allegedly asked Manoj to come near Modi Hospital Road in Bengaluru under the pretence of returning the borrowed money. Once Manoj arrived, the accused abducted him and forced him into a vehicle, as per the police.
Manoj was then driven around various locations, including Nelamangala and Dabaspet, before being held hostage at a lodge, the police said. Using threats and intimidation, the accused allegedly forced Manoj to transfer Rs 2.96 lakh from his accounts.
The ordeal continued, with the kidnappers releasing Manoj the following day, after demanding an additional Rs 10 lakh. However, after contacting his family, Manoj approached the police last week and filed a formal complaint.
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The Central Crime Branch of the Bengaluru police has registered a case under charges of kidnapping and extortion against all six accused.