Vinod M Jain
Sampigehalli Police have arrested four men for allegedly kidnapping a self-styled spiritual healer (“Baba”), assaulting him with deadly weapons and robbing him of Rs.4.25 lakh after luring him on the pretext of conducting a house puja.
The accused have been identified as Arif and Adil from Tumakuru,Imran from Chikkabanavara,and Khadeer from RT Nagar.
The arrests were made by Sampigehalli Police based on a complaint filed by Mohammed Tariq Hussain,a resident of Yelahanka.
Lured on the Pretext of a Puja
According to police,Arif had contacted Tariq Hussain a few days earlier,requesting him to perform a special puja at his house for peace and prosperity.
Arif allegedly transferred Rs.10,000 online as an advance.However,the ritual was postponed for three days due to Tariq’s personal reasons.
On June 29,Arif informed Tariq that he was sending a car to pick him up.When the vehicle arrived,the accused allegedly forced the victim into the car and kidnapped him.
Assault Over Earlier Financial Dispute:
Police said the accused took Tariq to the outskirts of Tumakuru, where three other associates were waiting.
During the journey,Adil allegedly confronted the victim over an earlier incident, claiming he had previously paid money to Tariq for a ritual that yielded no benefit.
When Tariq refused to return the money, the accused allegedly assaulted him with long weapons and machetes,causing serious injuries.
Forced Bank Withdrawal:
The accused allegedly obtained Tariq’s mobile phone password and UPI PIN after discovering that his bank account contained over Rs.5 lakh.
They initially transferred Rs.13,000 online before taking him to a private bank the following day.
Police said the gang forced Tariq to sign withdrawal forms and withdrew Rs.4.25 lakh from his account.
After taking the cash,they allegedly drove him to the outskirts of Doddaballapur,threatened to kill him if he informed the police,returned his mobile phone and fled.
Based on Tariq’s complaint,Sampigehalli Police registered a case,arrested all four accused and remanded them to judicial custody. Further investigation is underway.
