Second accused arrested in minor boy’s kidnap-murder case

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Prajwal was allegedly kidnapped from his neighbour’s house as part of a plan to demand a ₹1 crore ransom. | Image for representation only | Photo Credit: Favor_of_God

The second accused in the alleged kidnap and murder of a 13-year-old boy in Bengaluru was arrested on Monday (September 21) after absconding since the incident, the police said.

The accused, Elukondalvada, who worked as a private school bus cleaner, was allegedly involved in the kidnap and subsequent murder of class 6 student Prajwal. The main accused, Bhaskar Reddy, an IT professional known to the boy’s family, had been arrested earlier.

According to the police, Prajwal was allegedly kidnapped from his neighbour’s house as part of a plan to demand a ₹1 crore ransom. Reddy allegedly lured the boy out on the pretext of buying firecrackers before taking him away along with Elukondalvada.

The accused allegedly attacked Prajwal with a hollow brick after fearing that the boy could identify them. They then allegedly concealed his body in the boot of the car.

The vehicle was later involved in a series of collisions on Ballari Road. Following the accidents, motorists alerted the police, who searched the vehicle and found the boy’s body.

The police suspect that Reddy planned the kidnapping to raise money to repay his father’s debts.

Following the arrest of Elukondalvada, the police allegedly recovered multiple identity cards bearing different dates of birth from his possession. Investigators are now verifying the documents to establish his actual age and determine his precise role in the kidnapping and murder.

Reddy allegedly initially told the police that the boy had accidentally come in front of his car and died, and that he was taking the body away to dispose of it. The police, however, were not convinced and began questioning him.

Meanwhile, Prajwal’s father had already reported the boy missing after learning that he had gone with Reddy and failed to return. This helped police establish the identity of the body and connect Reddy to the boy.

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