Man plays kidnap prank to escape from debtors, arrested

A man who faked his own kidnapping in a bid to escape from debtors has been arrested.

The suspect is Prathap (29), a resident to Bommanahali and the owner of a photo studio. He called up the police helpline and DCP (South) K Annamalai multiple times requesting to save him from kidnappers.

Pratha had borrowed nearly Rs 40 lakh from his friends and they were forcing him to repay it.

Unable to bear the torture, he called up the police helpline on November 11 and claimed that he had been kidnapped by unidentified men near Kothanur Dinne. He claimed that they were carrying him in a car near Kengeri.

The police formed a team and went to Kengeri. He then informed that he was taken to Mysuru. When the police reached Mysuru, he called up again claiming that he was being driven to Madikeri and switched off the phone.

He called up Annamalai the next day and sought help.

On November 13, he called up police helpline and told them that he was abandoned on the NICE Road around 9.30 pm. The police went to the spot and brought him to the police station, but did not question him as he pretended to be tired.

On November 14, he appeared before the police and admitted that he had played the prank as he could no longer bear the money lenders’ torture. He told the police that he had thought that his friends would arrange money for his release. He wanted to use the money to repay his loans.

The police have booked him under IPC Section 182 (false information, with intent to cause public servant to use his lawful power to the injury of another person). He has been remanded in judicial custody.