Bengaluru man stages own kidnapping, demands Rs 90 lakh from father to clear debt

A 40-year-old man allegedly staged his own kidnapping with the help of two friends and demanded Rs 90 lakh from his father to clear a debt, police said on Friday. The man, identified as Manish, was traced to Belur in Hassan district through technical surveillance.

Police said two of his friends, who were allegedly part of the conspiracy, have been arrested in connection with the case. Manish was found staying at a house in a village near Belur in the early hours of October 1, they said.

According to police, Manish left his home in Bengaluru on the night of September 29 after telling his parents that he was going to Gadag for some financial transactions. He told them that he would take the 11:40 pm train and call them the next morning.

When the family did not hear from him, they received a WhatsApp call from his phone at around 8:30 am on September 30. The caller allegedly told them that their son had been kidnapped and threatened them, saying he would be released only if Rs 90 lakh was paid as ransom, a senior police officer said.

Based on a complaint filed by his father, a case was registered at Rajarajeshwari Nagar Police Station. During the investigation, police traced Manish's mobile phone and then tracked another number allegedly used by the kidnappers.

Technical surveillance led them to a village near Belur, where they located the house where Manish was staying, the officer said.

Police said questioning revealed that the kidnapping claim was part of a conspiracy allegedly planned by Manish and his two friends. According to the officer, Manish had lost money in another business transaction and was looking for a way to repay the debt.

He allegedly came up with the plan with his friends to demand money from his father by staging his kidnapping. Further investigation is underway, police said.- Ends