The Central Crime Branch police, who investigated the kidnap case of a school principal from Vijayanagar in February, have booked eight persons under the Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act (KCOCA), 2000.
The prime accused, Ravi A., who claimed to be an RTI activist and president of Karnataka Students, Parents’ Association, and his associates, kidnapped Bhadraiah, 68, founder and principal of Kiran Public School at Vijayanagar, while he was on a morning walk on February 19.
According to the police, Ravi, who had planned to demand a ransom of ₹2 crore from Mr. Bhadraiah, released him after five days when he learnt that the CCB was on the lookout. The police rescued Bhadraiah from Kollegal bus stand and recorded his statement. They then arrested Ravi and his associates.
According to the police, Ravi, who was earlier arrested by the Rajagopalanagar police in an extortion case filed by Bhadraiah, wanted to take revenge and ganged up with a gun dealer and his associates to execute the plan. The accused planned the kidnap meticulously and even conducted a recce. They had even disconnected CCTV cameras in and around the area before kidnapping Bhadraiah.
Ravi had many cases pending against him had an organised gang to execute criminal activities. His associates Lakshman Poojary, a gun runner, Karthik M. Doulath, Daniel Devraj, Ayyappa, Kotresh, Ramakrishna, and Manjushri are arrested.