BENGALURU: Inspired by a movie, a 16-year-old boy from Kanakapura stage-managed his own kidnap to extort money from his parents, but failed after he was nabbed by police in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
According to police officials, Suresh (name changed) lives with his parents in Kanakapura. His father operates a textile shop.
It all started on November 6 when Suresh left his house on a two-wheeler, saying he is going to a browsing centre to get photocopies. The youngster reached Bengaluru and parked the bike near Nayandahalli Metro station and took a train to Majestic. From there, he took a bus to Tirupati where he checked into a lodge.
As Suresh did not return, his parents filed a missing person complaint with Kanakapura police. On Saturday morning, the boy’s father received a photograph and a video on WhatsApp, in which Suresh was gagged, his hands were tied and he was sitting in a seminude position. An accompanying message said Suresh’s father will have to pay Rs 5 lakh if he wanted his son released.
Immediately, special teams were formed to secure the boy’s release. Police tracked the messages and found that they had originated from a lodge in Tirupati.
A team rushed to Tirupati only to find Suresh ensconced in a room in the lodge. He was alone. During questioning, Suresh confessed to have staged the kidnap drama with help from friends to extort money from his parents.
“With no school, the boy’s parents were forcing him to study, but he was not interested. He later hatched the kidnap plan inspired by Kannada movie Operation Alamelamma. However, he failed,” said police. The boy was sent back to his parents.