BENGALURU: In a shocking case of premeditated violence, the Bengaluru police have arrested 11 individuals, including a woman who has worked in Kannada television serials and a film, for allegedly abducting and brutally assaulting a film director. The attack was reportedly triggered by a financial dispute linked to the director’s unreleased film project.
The victim has been identified as director Anish T.A. The elaborate kidnapping and assault, which took place over several days earlier this month, saw the director being lured from Mumbai to Bengaluru, confined in a house, and repeatedly attacked with cricket stumps and hockey sticks, resulting in a fractured leg.
The Dispute and the Conspiracy
According to police, the root of the crime was a financial disagreement between Anish and the prime accused, identified as Ashirvad. Both individuals were involved in the director’s unreleased film project. Investigators stated that disputes arose over payments, with accounts of money exchanged allegedly not being maintained properly.
The situation escalated when Anish filed a complaint against Ashirvad with the Tamil Nadu police regarding the financial issues. Police claim that after receiving a notice from the Tamil Nadu police in connection with this complaint, Ashirvad began orchestrating his revenge.
“Ashirvad orchestrated the entire operation, took along 11 accomplices, and executed the assault in a premeditated manner,” a senior police officer involved in the investigation told reporters.
The Accused: A Mix of Associates and an Actress
The 11 accused have been identified as Ashirvad, Shaahid, Rehan, Charan, Dhruva, Arif, Arsalan, Sanjay, Aishwarya, Lakshmi Narayan, and Sujan. Significantly, the group includes Aishwarya, who has reportedly worked in Kannada television serials and a film.
Police revealed that Aishwarya’s involvement was also financially motivated. “Her inclusion in the group was motivated by financial claims she had against the director,” the officer added. According to investigators, each of the accused had some connection to Anish’s unreleased film project, either as an associate or investor.
How the Kidnapping Unfolded
The police have detailed the chilling sequence of events that led to the director’s abduction and torture.
- The Lure: About two months ago, Anish had moved from Bengaluru to Mumbai. While there, he informed a female actor friend in Bengaluru’s Indiranagar that he planned to sell his car. The accused allegedly learned of this and saw an opportunity, offering to help him find a buyer.
- The Trap: On February 9, they called him from Mumbai back to Bengaluru under the pretext of finalizing the car sale. Upon his arrival, he was directed to a location within the limits of the Adugodi police station, where he was forcibly kidnapped and bundled into a car.
- Confinement and Assault: The accused then took him to a house under the jurisdiction of the Byadarahalli police station. There, he was wrongfully confined. For the next several hours, five or six people allegedly took turns assaulting him with cricket stumps and hockey sticks. The attack was so severe that his leg was fractured. They also robbed him of the gold ornaments and cash he was carrying.
- Continued Ordeal: The ordeal did not end there. The accused later drove him to Mandaragiri Hill near Panditanahalli in Tumakuru district, where two more individuals joined the group and continued the assault.
- Admission to Hospital: Throughout the torture, the victim pleaded with his captors, assuring them he would settle the financial dispute and begging for medical treatment. Eventually, the accused admitted him to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Bengaluru.
The Arrest and Legal Action
It was from the hospital that the victim managed to secretly alert the police. A police team rushed to the hospital, provided him with security, and immediately began tracking down the accused.
During the investigation, police examined multiple angles, leading them to all 11 suspects. Upon interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to their involvement in the crime.
Police have seized six mobile phones linked to the offence, along with gold ornaments, a car, and cash from their possession. The accused were produced before the jurisdictional court and have been remanded to judicial custody.
A case has been registered under relevant sections of the law, including those pertaining to kidnapping, attempt to murder, criminal intimidation, and criminal conspiracy.
