Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Dec 19: Six persons have been arrested in connection with the kidnap case of 8-year-old boy from Ujire, informed superintendent of police (SP) B M Laxmi Prasad. He also said that a person, known to the family is involved in the case who hired the kidnappers.
Addressing media here on Saturday December 19, B M Laxmi Prasad said, “The arrested are Ranjith (20), resident of Mandya working in an IT company, Hanumanthu (21), resident of Mandya who is a cab driver, Gangadhar (25), resident of Mysuru who is a cab driver, Kamal (22), resident of Electronic City who works as mechanic in Bengaluru, Manjunath (24), resident of Kolar who works as a tailor and Mahesh (26), resident of Kolar who works as a painter.
“Ranjith, Hanumanthu, Gangadhar and Kamal were the abductors, while Manjunath and Mahesh helped the abductors in Kolar.
“The boy studies in third standard. His parents own a hardware shop in Beltangady. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of 100 bitcoins and Rs 17 crore.
“Police formed four teams and travelled to Hassan, Bengaluru, Mudigere and Madhugiri. They got lead at Madhugiri through which they came to know about some connection to Bengaluru and Mandya.
“They later received information about abductors travelling to Kolar and with the help of local police, the accused were traced. The child is safe and no harm has been done.
“There is involvement of a third person in this case who hired the kidnappers promising them Rs 7 lac and is known to the family. There is suspicion of three other people’s involvement. The investigation is in progress. They will be arrested soon.
“The demand of bitcoins was done because it is difficult to trace bitcoin transactions. The kidnappers demanded the family to provide bitcoins and were aware about the availability of bitcoins with the family. Three years ago, the boy’s father Bijoy had made bitcoin transactions, but had later stopped.
“Prior to kidnapping, the abductors had kept an eye on the family's activities for 10 days. They stayed at Dharmasthala lodge for 10 days, after which they travelled to Sullia, Madikeri, Mandya and Bengaluru and went to accused Kamal’s house to freshen up.
“The third person had promised to pay Rs 7 lac in one day. But the kidnappers did not get any payment as promised in a day. So the kidnappers travelled to Kolar assuming it as a safe place where they were helped by Manjunath and Mahesh. The boy was traced at Mahesh’s residence.
“The six accused were known to each other. Once the third person is arrested, we will probe if it is a case of personal enmity or any other reason due to which the crime took place.
“The boy was handed over to his parents and the accused were produced to the court in Kolar,” he said.
According to sources, under guidance of superintendent of police (SP), DySP Valentine D'Souza had formed four teams including inspectors Cheluvaraj, Sandesh and Ravi, PSIs Nandakumar, Irrayya, Kumar and Pawan to nab the accused.
It is said that officers traced the accused within a span of 48 hours.