Bengaluru: A 13-year-old boy was allegedly abducted and killed by a neighbour in a premeditated plan to extort ransom from the child's family, police said on Saturday. The accused, identified as 28‑year‑old Bhaskar Reddy, has been arrested and law‑enforcement agencies are searching for an alleged accomplice, PTI reported quoting police.
Police account and background of accused
According to the preliminary probe, Reddy, a native of Andhra Pradesh who was raised in Bengaluru, returned to the city a few months ago after completing a master's degree in London. He had recently joined a private company in Whitefield, working in the finance section, police said.
Police said the incident took place on the night of September 16, when the boy was allegedly lured from Vinayakanagar in Yelahanka on the pretext of buying firecrackers. The accused and his associate are reported to have offered the boy an opportunity to drive their car, following which he accompanied them.
Alleged sequence at the crime site
The accused and the accomplice allegedly drove the boy to a secluded construction site near Bagalur. There, they tied his hands and legs and forced him to record a video in which he appealed to his father to pay a ransom, police said. To make it appear that the boy had been assaulted, the duo wrapped his head and body in bandages before recording the message, the preliminary investigation found.
"The murder appears to have been premeditated," a police officer said, adding that the accused was allegedly fearful the boy would identify him if released.
Despite the boy complying with the demand and pleading to be allowed to return home, police said he was allegedly killed. The officers said the accused and his accomplice struck the child on the head with a tree branch and later smashed the back of his head with a hollow brick.
- Location of abduction: Vinayakanagar, Yelahanka
- Site of killing: Construction site near Bagalur
- Arrest: Bhaskar Reddy, 28, taken into custody; another suspect at large
Investigation status and legal action
Police have registered a case and are conducting further inquiries, including tracing the alleged accomplice and examining electronic evidence such as the recorded video. Officials described the act as part of a plan to demand ransom so the accused could use the money to repay a debt.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | 13‑year‑old boy from Vinayakanagar, Yelahanka |
| Accused | Bhaskar Reddy, 28; native of Andhra Pradesh; returned from London; employed in Whitefield |
| Alleged motive | To extort ransom to repay a debt |
| Current status | One arrest; search on for accomplice; investigation ongoing |
Local residents and parents in the area have expressed shock at the brutality of the alleged crime. The case raises questions about neighbourhood safety and the vulnerability of children to deception, even by acquaintances. Police have appealed to anyone with information about the incident or the identity of the second suspect to come forward.
Investigators are expected to produce more details after forensic examinations and custody questioning. The preliminary narrative given by police indicates the crime was planned rather than an impulsive act, and detectives are focusing on the accused's recent contacts and movements in Bengaluru, including his employment in Whitefield and ties in the Yelahanka area.
Further updates will be available as the probe proceeds and officials complete forensic and digital forensic analysis of the recorded video and related evidence, police said.
