Four arrested for kidnapping and robbing Yelahanka spiritual healer of Rs 4.25 lakh

The Sampigehalli police have arrested four men for allegedly kidnapping, assaulting, and robbing a spiritual healer from Yelahanka of Rs 4.25 lakh in cash and Rs 13,000 via a digital transfer, after luring him under the pretext of performing rituals.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Arif and Adil, both from Tumakuru, Imran from Chikkabanavara, and Khadeer from RT Nagar. The arrests followed a complaint filed by the victim, Mohammed Tariq Hussain, who resides in Yelahanka.

According to the police, Arif had contacted Hussain a few days prior to the June 29 incident, requesting him to perform rituals for peace and prosperity at his house. Arif allegedly transferred Rs 10,000 to Hussain as an advance payment.

On June 29, Arif informed Hussain that a car had been arranged to pick him up. However, once Hussain got into the vehicle, the accused restrained him and drove him towards the outskirts of Tumakuru.

During the journey, Adil confronted Hussain over an earlier financial dispute. Adil claimed he had previously paid Hussain for a ritual that had not yielded the promised results. When Hussain refused to return the money, the accused assaulted him with machetes and other sharp weapons, causing injuries.

Investigators stated that the accused then accessed Hussain's mobile phone after obtaining his password and UPI PIN. They transferred Rs 13,000 digitally. The following day, they took him to a private bank, where they forced him to sign withdrawal slips and withdrew Rs 4.25 lakh from his account.

After taking the cash, the accused drove Hussain to the outskirts of Doddaballapur. They threatened him with dire consequences if he approached the police, returned his mobile phone, and fled.

Based on the victim's complaint and technical evidence, the Sampigehalli police traced and arrested all four accused. A senior police officer said they are investigating the financial transactions and verifying whether the accused were involved in similar offences elsewhere. All four men have been remanded in judicial custody.