Bengaluru man kidnaps spa owner to recover money lost in online gaming, arrested with 2 aides

Acting on credible information, the police on Tuesday traced the kidnappers and rescued the spa owner from a deserted area near a petrol bunk on S Bingipura Road. All three of them—identified as Manjunath, 25, Prajwal, 25, and Akshay, 28—were arrested.

During interrogation, the police found that Manjunath was working at an apartment complex in Gottigere, had allegedly misappropriated funds from there, and lost it in online gaming. The police said he conspired with his associates to kidnap the spa owner and demand ransom.

“We received the complaint on February 15 and immediately formed a special team. Based on technical and field investigation, the accused were traced within two days, and the victim was rescued safely. The accused had conspired to kidnap the victim for ransom to repay financial losses,” said M Narayana, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Electronic City Division.

The police seized the car and weapons used in the crime, three mobile phones, and Rs 9,700 from the accused.

The three men were produced before a court on Wednesday and remanded in police custody.

Further investigation is underway.