• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Bengaluru News: A cab driver from Bengaluru was left without his vehicle and phone after a woman he met during a work trip locked him inside a hotel room and vanished with her accomplice. Police are investigating the case, suspecting more details may emerge as the probe continues.

According to a Times Of India report, the driver, Ananth Kumar, 39, who lives in HMT Layout, had travelled to Karwar in late April for work. While waiting for his passengers to return from sightseeing, a woman in her mid-20s approached him. During a brief conversation, she mentioned a plan to tour Bengaluru and Mysuru and showed interest in hiring him. The two exchanged contact details before parting ways.

ALSO READ: Bengaluru: Namma Metro Yellow Line Nears Launch As Third Six-Coach Train Reaches Hebbagodi Depot

Over the next few days, the woman remained in touch, mainly through WhatsApp calls. On the night of May 6, she told Ananth that she would reach Bengaluru the next morning and asked if he could drive her, as previously discussed. Though Ananth was in Hubballi at the time, he agreed to meet her once he returned.

Around 11 AM the next day, she contacted him again and asked him to arrange a hotel near Majestic. Since he wasn’t familiar with that area, he suggested a hotel near Tumakuru Road instead. She shared her Aadhaar card for identification and he booked a room at PV Residency in Sidedahalli.

ALSO READ: Karnataka Weather: IMD Puts Bengaluru, Udupi, Other Districts On Yellow Alert For Thundershowers, Monsoon By May-End | Forecast

After picking her up near Eight Mile on Tumakuru Road, Ananth drove her to the hotel. There, she said she had to step out to visit a parlour and suggested he freshen up in the room. As soon as he entered the bathroom, she locked the door from outside, took his phone and car keys and left, as reported by Times Of India report.

She then met up with a male associate nearby and both drove away in his Hyundai Accent. Ananth’s calls for help eventually drew the attention of hotel staff, who released him.

Preliminary investigation suggests the duo headed towards Tumakuru, Hiriyur and Chitradurga before police lost track. Officials found that the hotel’s CCTV system lacked any stored footage. While the suspects are still at large, police said they are not ruling out the possibility of other angles in the case.