13-year-old boy abducted, murdered by neighbour in bid to repay education loan in Bengaluru

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The accused claimed that he needed money to repay his family’s debt. | Photo Credit: Nisha Dutta

A 13-year-old boy was allegedly abducted for a ransom and murdered by his neighbour in northeast Bengaluru on September 16, police said.

The accused, identified as Bhaskar Reddy, 28, has been arrested by the Chikkajala police. Reddy allegedly abducted his 13-year-old neighbour at Vinayakanagar in Yelahanka and murdered the boy near a construction site in Bagalur.

According to the police, Reddy had returned from London a few months ago after completing his master’s degree. He had joined a private company in Whitefield in its finance section.

A preliminary probe revealed that Reddy hatched the abduction-murder plan to demand a ransom from his neighbour so that he could repay his family’s debt, according to a senior police officer.

On September 16 night, Reddy, along with one of his friends, allegedly invited the victim to join them to buy firecrackers. They also offered the boy a chance to drive the car. Enticed by the offer, the boy joined the duo, who took him to a site near Bagalur, and tied his hands and legs.

“The accused then covered the boy’s head and body with bandages to make it appear that he was beaten up. The duo filmed a video of the boy requesting his father to pay the ransom, or else, his abductors would kill him,” a senior police officer told The Hindu . The duo planned to send the video to the boy’s family the next day.

According to the officer, despite the boy following every instruction of the accused and pleading with them to be allowed to go home, Reddy and his friend allegedly struck his head with the branch of a tree and then smashed the back of his head with a hollow brick.

“The murder was premeditated as per the preliminary probe. He was afraid that if the boy was let go, his parents would find out the identity of the abductor. The plan was to abduct him, shoot a video, murder him, and then demand a ransom,” the officer said, adding that they are verifying Reddy’s claims.

After filming the video, the accused put the body in the boot of the car and left the place. Police investigations revealed that Reddy was under the influence of alcohol. On the way back, he hit multiple cars near Hunsmaranahalli. Passers-by intercepted his car and caught hold of him.

“While the passers-by were questioning him, they checked the car, and found the boy’s body. Reddy claimed that the boy had met with an accident and that he was driving him to a hospital. But the passers-by called the police,” the officer said.

Subsequent investigations revealed that Reddy was planning to demand a ransom from the boy’s parents to repay his debt. Chikkajala police have registered an FIR under the BNS sections dealing with abduction and murder. They are searching for the other accused.

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