Rehabilitation centre manager abducted for ransom, rescued by police

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The Gnanabharati police apprehended a former rowdy and his accomplices over the kidnapping of the manager of a rehabilitation centre for ransom. The arrested include former rowdy Keshavmurthy, along with his associates Madan, Surya, Prem Babu, Mohammad Tauseef, Arbaz Pasha and Mohammad Adan Bilal from KR Nagar in Mysuru district.

On June 19, Santosh, the manager of the Santosh Social Workers Society (Rehabilitation Centre) at Kenchapura Cross, was abducted by Keshav's gang. Fearing a police investigation, the accused abandoned the abductee near the bus stand in Nanjangudu city, Mysuru district and fled.

Eventually, based on technical information, Inspector Subramani and his team successfully apprehended the kidnappers. Shashidhar operates a rehabilitation centre named 'Santosh Social Workers Society' at Kenchanpur Cross. Keshav, the former rowdy, with a previous connection with Shashidhar had recently threatened him, demanding a weekly payment of Rs 10 lakh.

Despite the threats, Shashidhar refused to comply with the demands. Enraged by this, Keshav, accompanied by his associates, visited the rehabilitation centre on June 17. As Shashidhar was not present at the time, the accused interrogated the centre manager, Santosh, about Shashidhar's whereabouts.

Eventually, they forcefully abducted Santosh in their car, intending to extort money. After some time, Keshav called Shashidhar and threatened him, stating that if he didn't pay the demanded amount, the life of the manager would be at stake.

Concerned about the abduction, Shashidhar switched off his mobile phone and went missing the same day. When the owner and manager suddenly went missing, the staff at the rehabilitation centre informed Shashidhar's family, who promptly alerted the police. DCP West Division Laxman Nimbaragi, upon learning about the abduction, formed a team led by Inspector Subrahmani and located the accused.