Bengaluru police have arrested seven persons for allegedly extorting ₹2 lakh from a businessman and his relative in Byadarahalli in northwest Bengaluru on December 15.
The prime accused has been identified as Manjunath L.S., alias Magadi Manju, and his associate Chandan Gowda.
Investigators suspect that Manju has a criminal past and are verifying his involvement in other cases. Other accused have been identified as Rajesh P., Devraju alias Devu, B. Chandru, Santosh N., and Rajashekar C.S. All have been remanded in judicial custody.
The victim, a gutka product dealer, told the police that the incident occurred around 11.30 p.m. on December 15 while he was returning home with his relative.
According to the police, Manju, Gowda, and their accomplices intercepted the businessman’s car near BEL Layout and allegedly hurled a large stone at the windshield. The accused then pulled the businessman and his relative out of the car, assaulted them with rods, forced them into another car, and took them to a petrol pump on Magadi Main Road.
According to the police FIR, Manju snatched the businessman’s mobile phone, contacted the victim’s family, and demanded a ransom of ₹10 lakh. Eventually, the accused took ₹2 lakh from the victims and dropped them near BEL Layout. The accused allegedly threatened the victims and warned them against reporting the incident. Despite this, the businessman lodged a complaint the following day. Based on technical evidence, the police arrested the accused.
The accused have been booked under relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections.
Published – December 18, 2025 11:28 pm IST
