Bengaluru Murder Case: A shocking murder case was reported in Karnataka's Bengaluru, in which a 13-year-old boy was allegedly abducted and killed by his neighbour. The main accused is a London-returned 28-year-old highly educated man, Bhaskar Reddy. According to police, he abducted the boy for ransom from his family.
Police on Saturday said Reddy has been arrested and searching for his alleged accomplice is underway.
Who Is The Main Accused?
Reddy, a native of Andhra Pradesh who was brought up in Bengaluru, had returned from London a few months ago after completing his master's degree. He was working with a private company in Whitefield, with a role in the finance section.
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What Was The Motive Behind The Crime?
According to police, Reddy had allegedly planned the abduction to demand ransom from the boy's parents and use the money to repay a debt. But he killed him in fear of exposure of his identity. A preliminary investigation has revealed that Reddy allegedly abducted the boy from Vinayakanagar in Yelahanka on September 16 and took him to a construction site near Bagalur.
The Victim Was Lured To Buy Firecrackers
On the night of September 16, Reddy and his associate allegedly lured the boy into their car on the pretext of going to buy firecrackers. They also offered him an opportunity to drive the vehicle.
The victim was taken to a secluded site near Bagalur. They tied the boy's hands and legs and recorded a video in which he was forced to appeal to his father to pay ransom. The accused covered the boy's head and body with bandages to make it appear that he was assaulted by the kidnappers. Police said the accused had planned to send the video to the boy's family the following day. However, the boy was allegedly killed despite complying with their instructions and pleading to be allowed to return home.
Reddy and his associate allegedly hit him on the head with a tree branch and later smashed the back of his head with a hollow brick.
A Road Accident Reveals The Crime
After the murder, the accused allegedly placed the boy's body in the boot of the car and drove away. Reddy was under the influence of alcohol while returning from the site. The car allegedly collided with multiple vehicles near Hunsmaranahalli. Passers-by intercepted the vehicle and questioned Reddy before checking the car, where they found the boy's body.
Reddy allegedly told them that the boy had met with an accident and that he was taking him to a hospital. The passers-by, however, alerted the police. A case has been registered at Chikkajala police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for abduction and murder. Police launched an operation to trace the other accused.
(With PTI Inputs)