NewsFlash Daily™
13 April
Four management students were arrested after abducting a junior from the hostel. The police rescue the victim within hours using tech tracking and an emergency alert
Bengaluru: In a shocking case of campus crime, a 19-year-old student was allegedly kidnapped by his seniors for a ransom of ₹50,000 in Bengaluru. Acting swiftly, Madiwala Police rescued the victim within five hours and arrested four accused students linked to a reputed management college.
Victim Identified, Accused From Same Hostel
The victim, identified as Rishabh Mohanty from Odisha, was reportedly staying in a hostel in BTM Layout Phase 1, where some of the accused also resided. The arrested include Shaurya from Kerala, Syed Bilal from Jayanagar, Nikunj from Bihar, and Adita Roxy from Maharashtra. Police sources confirmed that three of the accused and the victim lived in the same hostel, pointing to a disturbing breach of trust within student circles.
Kidnapping Over Alleged Money Dispute
Preliminary investigation suggests the accused claimed that Rishabh had borrowed money and failed to repay it, prompting them to abduct him in a car. However, the victim has categorically denied borrowing any money, adding a new twist to the case.
After the abduction, the accused allegedly demanded ₹50,000 and threatened to kill him if the amount was not arranged. Under pressure, Rishabh contacted a friend seeking help.
Emergency Call and Tech Tracking Crack the Case
The case took a decisive turn when the victim’s friend dialed 112 emergency services, alerting police about the kidnapping. Crucially, the accused themselves shared vehicle registration details, which became a key lead.
Using mobile tower location tracking and digital surveillance, police quickly traced both the victim and the suspects. Rishabh was eventually rescued from a house in Jayanagar, where he had been held.
Threats, Torture but No Physical Injury
Investigators revealed that the accused had threatened the victim with a knife and forced him to call friends for money. He was allegedly mentally harassed and intimidated, though no serious physical injuries were reported.
A police officer stated that while the victim was not physically harmed, the psychological trauma and criminal intent make the case extremely serious.
Campus Safety Under Question
The incident has sparked concerns about student safety, hostel environments, and rising campus-related crimes. Authorities are now probing deeper into the background of the accused and possible prior disputes.
