Daijiworld News Network - Bangalore (MB)

Bangalore, Mar 21: Presence of mind seemed to have saved Bhaskar Rai, a software engineer and head of the training division of Oracle Software firm in Whitefield near here, from a kidnap bid and attempt on life on Monday, March 20 morning.

According to police sources, Rai is constructing a new house in the city and had given the plumbing contract to one Vijayakumar. As Rai was driving on the Ring Road in Mahadevapura sector on Monday morning, Vijayakumar is said to thumbed for a lift up to K R Puram. Being a known person, he allowed him to hop in.

A little distance further, another person sought a lift as well, and Vijayakumar said it was a friend of his and accordingly Rai agreed to take him along. As they were going further, the two of them flashed their knives and pointed them at Rai's neck asking him to stop the vehicle. At the same time, they pushed him to the back seat and one of them drove the car ahead.

At once, Rai pulled out his revolver from his pocket and held it forth in self-defence. But the duo snatched it from his hands and aimed it back at his head, asking him to take the car to a place as directed by then.

With remarkable presence of mind, Rai swiftly put the alarm of the car on, which alerted the public and they gathered around the vehicle. The culprits shoved the revolver barrel into Rai's mouth. As they revolver was about to be fired, Rai either fell to the ground or ducked to save himself. The bullet is said to have hit his arm.

Sensing danger, the culprits left the revolver behind and fled the place. The motive of the act is said to be kidnap with intent to extort a ransom.

The Mahadevapura police have registered a case in this regard.  The incident, happening during the daytime, has sent shock waves among the residents.