Bengaluru: Man arrested for extorting two businessmen

Bengaluru: Byadarahalli police have arrested a man with a likely past criminal history for allegedly extorting two businessmen, officials said on Wednesday. 

The arrested is Magadi Manju. According to the police, Manju and his accomplices had waylaid Mukesh Bhai and his relative Jama Bhai, who are engaged in supplying gutka products, on December 15, a little after 11.30 pm near Magadi Main Road. "We have some information that the prime suspect, who was arrested, has a criminal history. It is being verified and a further probe is underway," a senior police officer told DH. 

It is alleged that the suspects had damaged the car using a rock and also assaulted Jama Bhai. The two were then forcibly taken in a car to a petrol bunk. 

Here, Manju allegedly called the victims’ landlord and demanded Rs 10 lakh for their release. As per the FIR, the victims were dropped later near BEL Layout, and the suspects fled after stealing the Rs 2 lakh from the victims and leaving behind the gutka products in the damaged car. 

Police have invoked BNS Sections 115 (Voluntarily causing hurt), 118 (Voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 308 (extortion), 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 351 (criminal intimidation) and 126 (wrongful restraint) against the suspects.