A 27-year-old debt-ridden man, who kidnapped his friend’s four-year-old son for ransom, has been arrested by the RT Nagar police. The police also rescued the victim Joshua Francis

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The arrested has been identified as Raghu, a resident of Pragathipura in Banashankari. A paint worker, Raghu, was finding it difficult to repay the loans he had borrowed. He hatched a plan to kidnap his friend Francis’ son to make a quick buck. On January 4, he came to his friend’s house at around 3.45 pm and kidnapped Joshua when he was playing outside the house.

Francis and his family members lodged a missing complaint with the police after their efforts to trace Joshua failed. Raghu, who would often visit Francis’ house, also joined them and pretended to search for Joshua, added the police.

Raghu had asked one of his associates to call Francis when they were at the police station and demand a ransom of Rs seven lakh. The police traced the call to Banashankari area but grew suspicious of Raghu’s behaviour and detained him for questioning. During interrogation, Raghu admitted to committing the crime.