Bengaluru: Byadarahalli police have summoned a priest and three others for allegedly staging a fake kidnap drama in an attempt to trace and bring back a man who had eloped with a young woman in Bengaluru.
The incident came to light after a relative, unaware that the kidnapping was staged, approached the police and filed a complaint after receiving a disturbing video showing the priest allegedly being assaulted and held captive.
Police initially treated the matter as a genuine abduction case before later discovering that the entire incident had been orchestrated as part of a plan to pressure the priest’s brother into returning with the girl.
Video of assault triggered police complaint
The priest has been identified as Kotresh, 27, who lives near Veerabhadreshwara Temple in D Group Layout. The other three persons involved in the alleged drama have been identified as Basavaraju, Virupaksha and Umesh Swamy.
According to police, Kotresh’s younger brother Shiva Kumar, 24, was in a relationship with Basavaraju’s daughter. The couple reportedly eloped on Thursday evening after Shiva Kumar picked her up from her college in Rajajinagar. They were allegedly planning to get married soon.
Police said the fake abduction drama was staged on Friday night.
As part of the plan, Kotresh was allegedly forced into a car from the temple premises in front of devotees. A video was then recorded showing him being assaulted and pleading with his brother to return the girl and rescue him.
The video was circulated among family members, reportedly to emotionally pressure Shiva Kumar into coming back.
Police initially believed it was a real kidnapping
The complaint was filed on Saturday morning by YS Niranjana Murthy, 34, another priest who works with Kotresh at the same temple.
Murthy told police that when he arrived at the temple, devotees informed him that Kotresh had been forcibly taken away in a car by a group of men.
After watching the video showing Kotresh being threatened and assaulted, Murthy immediately approached the Byadarahalli police station fearing that it was an actual kidnapping case.
Police officers who reviewed the footage initially believed the complaint to be genuine and began efforts to trace and rescue the priest.
However, after Kotresh was “rescued,” investigators discovered that the alleged kidnapping had been staged with the involvement of all parties concerned.
Police warn against misleading investigations
Officials said action would be initiated against those responsible for misleading the police and wasting investigative resources.
“Action will be taken against those who tried to mislead the police. Shiva Kumar has returned home along with the girl,” a police officer said.
The incident has sparked discussion over the misuse of police resources and the dangers of staging criminal incidents to resolve personal or family disputes.
Police officials noted that creating false kidnapping scenarios can lead to unnecessary panic, diversion of emergency response teams and legal consequences for those involved.
Authorities are now examining the legal provisions under which action can be taken against the accused individuals for allegedly fabricating the abduction story.
Further investigation into the matter is underway.