Karnataka - Bangalore

Boy rescued in less than an hour after being kidnapped

— Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

SUCH A RELIEF: Shravan with his parents Balasubrahmanyam and Premalatha in Bangalore on Thursday.

BANGALORE: “I was shocked when two men threatened my mother with a knife and dragged me inside a car. I was even more shocked when I saw Vinod uncle, our neighbour, inside that car. He used to give me chocolates. But today he was in a different mood. Along with other two men, he abused me and covered me in a bedsheet. He also threatened to slit my throat if I tried to peep outside the window or cried.” These are the words of B. Shravan, a five-year-old boy, who was kidnapped by his neighbour and rescued in less than an hour by the police here on Thursday.

Shravan was kidnapped from Cholara Palya near the Prasanna cinema by three men. Swift action by the Jnanabharathi police station Inspector H.R. Reddy enabled the boy’s rescue near the Sports Authority of India (SAI) complex near Jnanabharathi. The child was in a state of shock even after he was rescued.

“We have arrested three executives of a private telephone services provider in connection with the kidnap. They are Vinod, Ravi, a resident of Nandini Layout and Naveen of Yeshwanthpur. Vinod, the kingpin, is the victim’s neighbour,” N. Shivakumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West Division), told The Hindu.

Shravan is a first standard student of Venkat International School. His father K. Balasubrahmanyam is a senior officer in Marketing Division of GE Company.

“With his two accomplices, Vinod worked out a plan to kidnap Shravan for ransom,” Mr. Shivakumar said.

They hired a car on Thursday and around 3.30 p.m. Ravi and Naveen entered the house of Balasubrahmanyam and dragged the boy into the car.

When Premalatha, the mother, attempted to rescue her son, they threatened to kill her and drove away.

“Premalatha called her husband. Immediately wireless messages were sent across the city and all police stations were alerted. The description of the car was flashed as well. Policemen attached to the Jnanabharathi station noticed the car near SAI and arrested the accused,” he said.

When the Jnanabharati police spotted the car near the SAI complex, they could not see Shravan as he was stretched on the rear seat.

The Inspector deliberately told his men to let the car pass.

Noticing the driver picking up speed immediately, the police gave chase and intercepted the vehicle.

“I am happy the boy is safe and unhurt,” said Mr. Reddy. “I have been working as a policeman since 1990. I have solved plenty of cases, but this is the most memorable,” he said.

Prior to the kidnapping, the three men had removed the number plates of their car. The police recovered three different registration numbers plates and knives from the vehicle.

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