BENGALURU:
The Rajajinagar police station has apprehended two individuals, including a young man who was preparing for the UPSC examination, on charges of kidnapping and extorting money from a businessman.
The arrested suspects have been identified as Sachin and Gaurishankar. On the 5th of this month, the accused abducted a businessman named Chetan Shah from Dr. Rajkumar Road in Rajajinagar and recovered a sum of Rs. 7 lakhs. Subsequently, they coerced Chetan Shah into making a self-declaration that he willingly handed over the money, recorded a video, and fled the scene.
Chetan Shah was seeking a BBA seat for his daughter at St. Joseph’s University in 2023. During this time, Sachin, one of the accused, was introduced to Chetan Shah’s daughter through a mutual friend. Sachin, who was also preparing for the UPSC examination, claimed to have connections at St. Joseph’s University and promised to secure a seat for a payment of 4 lakhs. However, due to the delay in fulfilling this promise, Chetan Shah sought assistance elsewhere and managed to secure a seat for his daughter.
Sachin, who had met Chetan Shah in May 2023, claimed, “I am the one who secured a seat for your daughter. I received Rs. 4 lakhs for it.” He insisted that the payment should be made. However, Chetan Shah refused to pay. Sachin, who had made threats during that encounter, started receiving threatening calls from various individuals afterwards.
On the 5th, while Sachin was heading home from his workplace in Peenya, he and his friends arrived in an auto near the Rajajinagar road signal. They blocked Chetan Shah’s car, kidnapped him, and pursued him throughout the road. They demanded Rs. 4 lakhs for securing the seat, along with an additional Rs. 2 lakhs in interest. They also demanded Rs. 1 lakh for their associates, making a total of Rs. 7 lakhs. Sachin had previously threatened to collect this amount.
During this incident, Sachin sent an accomplice to Chetan’s house, who obtained Rs. 7 lakhs from his wife. The money was handed over to Sachin. Later, the accomplice released Shah around 2 pm. Following this, Chetan Shah filed a complaint with the Rajajinagar police station.
The Rajajinagar police station has now apprehended two individuals. The investigation revealed that Sachin, one of the arrested individuals, was preparing for an examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. The police have seized the cash and mobile phones, and the investigation is ongoing, as stated by City Police Commissioner B. Dayananda.
