Bengaluru kidnapping bid sparks nine-km chase, gang rams into over 135 vehicles

Bengaluru: A suspected kidnapping attempt in K.P. Agrahara’s Dasarahalli area turned into a chaotic nine-kilometre chase after the accused allegedly drove their car recklessly while trying to escape, ramming into more than 35 cars and over 100 two-wheelers.

The incident left six people seriously injured and more than 30 others with minor injuries. The seriously injured include Prithviraj, 12, Yashika, 9, Amul, 35, Varsha, Mani, 64, and Jayalakshmi, 57. They are undergoing treatment at a private hospital.

According to preliminary information, a group of men allegedly went to a house in Dasarahalli and attempted to abduct a young woman. When local residents noticed the incident, they began chasing the suspects’ vehicle.

The accused allegedly tried to escape by driving at high speed and hitting vehicles on the road. More than 35 cars and over 100 bikes were reportedly damaged during the chase. A judge’s vehicle and a police vehicle were also among those allegedly hit.

The pursuit continued for nearly nine kilometres before residents managed to intercept the car near the fourth cross of Vijayanagar Hoshahalli. An angry crowd allegedly surrounded the vehicle, damaged it with stones and pulled three occupants out.

The three suspects — Rakesh, 31, Karan, 35, and Ayan, 18 — were allegedly assaulted before being handed over to Vijayanagar police. Magadi Road police later arrested them. Saddam, who was allegedly driving the vehicle, managed to escape and police have launched a search for him.

During preliminary questioning, police reportedly learnt that the kidnapping attempt may have been linked to a family dispute. Investigators suspect that the young woman’s paternal aunt had allegedly engaged the accused to abduct her.

The woman, identified as Pooja, is originally from Rajasthan and had married a man she loved before settling in Bengaluru. The couple had reportedly been living in K.P. Agrahara-Dasarahalli for around nine months.

Police suspect that the aunt had recently obtained Pooja’s address and allegedly used it to facilitate the kidnapping attempt. Investigators are probing the alleged conspiracy, the motive behind the abduction and the role of each accused.

Police are also examining CCTV footage and other evidence to reconstruct the incident and trace the escaped driver.

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