In a shocking case in Bengaluru, the Chandra Layout Police have arrested three persons, including two women, for allegedly kidnapping, assaulting and threatening a woman over an ongoing loan dispute. The accused were identified as Reshma Banu, Nazath and Suhail, police said.
According to the police complaint, the victim had been acquainted with Reshma Banu for several years. The woman borrowed ₹1 lakh from Reshma two years ago. Through her, the victim came to know Nazath and also borrowed an additional ₹50,000 from her.
Loan Repayment Problems caused conflict
Police investigations revealed that the woman had been repaying the borrowed amount to Nazath through monthly instalments of ₹5,000. But with personal and financial problems, she was unable to pay for the past 6 months.
As a result, Nazath allegedly continued to contact the woman over and over about her overdue dues. That’s when the victim blocked Nazath’s phone number to get rid of the harassing phone calls and pressure they were making, and, according to the report, that began to escalate the tension between them.
The dispute over the unpaid loan eventually led to the alleged kidnapping and assault, investigators believe.
Lured to a House With Promise of Work
According to the complaint, the victim had recently departed her home and was staying at her mother’s house. She says during this period Nazath contacted her and informed her about a job opportunity which would help her earn money.
The woman, trusting the offer, agreed to visit Nazath’s house. But after she got to the location, she was allegedly attacked.
Police said Reshma Banu and her husband Suhail were also in the house during the incident. The trio attacked the victim and physically assaulted her, police said. The woman was threatened and injured during the encounter, according to the complaint.
The victim had alleged that she was attacked with a knife before being forcibly taken away in an auto-rickshaw, the police said.
Victim Allegedly Held Captive Near Kumbalagodu
Following the assault, the woman was taken to a house near Kumbalagodu on the outskirts of Bengaluru, where she was held against her will.
The accused humiliated her and recorded videos during her confinement, according to the victim’s account. Police said the victim was threatened with the release of those videos if she did not pay the money demanded by the accused.
The threat of physical harm and damage to her reputation was such that the victim was in a panic state.
Missing Complaint Helped Police Trace Victim
Meanwhile, when the woman failed to return home, her family became worried about her whereabouts. Her mother went to Chandra Layout Police Station and filed a missing person complaint.
Police followed up on the complaint and traced the woman's movements. They followed up to the location where the victim was being held.
The police rescued the woman and recorded her statement. Based on the information provided by the victim and the evidence collected during the investigation, authorities arrested Reshma Banu, Nazath and Suhail.
Investigation Underway
Police said investigators are still trying to determine the complete sequence of events and whether any other individuals were involved in the crime.
The accused are currently in police custody, and authorities are looking into all aspects of the case financial transactions, alleged assault, and blackmail accusations.
The incident further underscores the danger of private loan disputes becoming criminal disputes and why we need to seek legal remedies for financial disputes as opposed to intimidation or violence.
