Double kidnap: Cops crack case within hours

BENGALURU: In a swift action the police cracked a double kidnapping case within hours and arrested three people in Wilson Garden police station limits on Friday night. The accused had laid a honey trap for two victims in order to recover money lent to the latter.

The police traced the victims, who were kept in captivity in a rented house in BTM Layout, and rescued them.

The arrested have been identified as Sayyed (26), Jaffer (27) and Nawaz (26), all said to be vagabonds, hired by the prime accused, identified as Tousif, to carry out the kidnapping.

Investigations revealed that Sayed Wasiulla (24), a rice merchant in Bangarpet, his father Syed Hidayatulla and his friend Tanveer (28) had come to the city on Thursday to buy a car.

The victim reportedly borrowed a loan of Rs 2.5 lakh from Tousif, and refused to repay. After repeated unsuccessful attempts to get back the money, Tousif hatched a plan to honey trap Wasiulla to recover his dues. A woman was introduced to Wasiullah on the pretext of wrong number.

As per the plan, the girl managed to befriend Wasiulla and asked him to visit her. While Wasiulla was in the city he called her on Friday and went to meet her, police said.

“Tousif, who was waiting there, abducted Wasiullah and Tanveer in BTM Layout, with the help of his three associates and took them to his house. The gang members then tied up the duo. They called his father and demanded a ransom of Rs 5 lakh,” said a senior police officer.

Shocked Hidayatulla rushed to the jurisdictional Wilson Garden police station and reported the incident. The police swung into action and based on mobile phone call records arrested Jaffar, Syed Ali and Nawaz. Tousif, however, managed to escape and efforts are on to nab him, a senior police officer said. Wilson Garden police have registered a case and probe is underway.