Woman Among 8 Arrested For Abducting Youth, Demanding Rs 12 Lakh Ransom

Vijayapura: Eight persons, including a woman, have been arrested for allegedly kidnapping a 22-year-old man and demanding Rs 12 lakh ransom from his family after using a woman accomplice to lure him to a meeting spot, police said on Tuesday. According to the police, the accused targeted the victim after learning that his family had recently sold agricultural land for Rs 26 lakh.

The victim, a resident of Kasturi Colony in Vijayapura, was rescued unharmed near Ghataprabha in Belagavi district within two days of a kidnapping complaint being registered at the Gandhi Chowk police station of Vijayapura.

According to police, the case came to light after a woman lodged a complaint on June 19, alleging that her son had been abducted by unknown persons.

Considering the seriousness of the matter, the investigation was given top priority. A special team comprising PI Pradeep Talakeri, PSI Sushma Nandigon, and other police personnel from Gandhi Chowk Police Station was formed to investigate the case.

During the investigation, based on the mobile phone call records of the kidnapped youth and information provided by the complainant herself, police learned that the kidnappers had allegedly demanded money in exchange for releasing Sahil.

Acting on these mobile phone leads, the investigation team traced the suspects. On June 21, 2026, information was received that the accused were near Ghataprabha in Belagavi district. Acting on this information, police located the person along with six accused persons.

The arrested accused have been identified as Gopal Madar (28), a labourer from Vijayapura, Ningappa Navadagi (27), a PG manager from Shirabur in Indi taluk who is currently residing in Vijayapura, Dasharath Madar (21), a car driver from Narasalagi village in Basavana Bagewadi taluk, Shivanand Nandikolamath (25), a labourer from the Almatti Railway Station area, Sunil Navi (20), a car driver from Chikkabevanur in Indi taluk; and Shivakumar Hosatti (23), a labourer from Tadalagi in Kolhar taluk.

Investigations revealed that the person worked as a kitchen supplier at the Vijayapura Government Hospital and had told his colleague Mohammad Rafiq, a cook at the same hospital, that his family had sold two acres of land in Narasalagi village of Basavana Bagewadi taluk for Rs 26 lakh about two months ago.

Rafiq then shared this information with Gopal Madar. The two allegedly conspired to kidnap Sahil through a honey-trap scheme and extort money from his family.

As part of the plan, they approached Ningappa Navadagi, who worked as a PG manager near Shivaji Circle in Vijayapura. Ningappa informed a girl, a student, staying in the same PG accommodation, about the conspiracy.

Rafiq obtained her mobile phone number and passed it on to Gopal Madar. Gopal then introduced her to the person, and a friendship was developed between them.

On June 18 the girl allegedly called the person and asked him to meet her at around 8 pm at an open area behind the Government Hospital in Vijayapura.

When the person reached the spot, five men allegedly forced him into a Scorpio vehicle and drove away. During the journey, the kidnappers allegedly made the person call his mother and demand Rs 12 lakh for his release.

Meanwhile, based on information provided by the complainant, the investigation team tracked the accused, located them near Ghataprabha, cracked the case, rescued Sahil safely, and reunited him with his family.

Subsequently, on June 22, police arrested Mohammad Rafiq and the girl.

Police have seized the Scorpio vehicle allegedly used in the crime and seven mobile phones. All eight accused have been remanded to judicial custody.

Superintendent of Police Laxman Nimbargi commended the investigation team for solving the case within two days of its registration.