13-year-old boy abducted and killed for ransom in Bengaluru; neighbour arrested

A 13-year-old boy was allegedly abducted and killed by his 28-year-old neighbour in Bengaluru as part of a ransom scheme, police said on Saturday. The accused, Bhaskar Reddy, has been arrested while police search for his alleged accomplice. Reddy, who recently returned from London after completing his master's degree and was working at a private company in Whitefield, allegedly abducted the boy from Yelahanka on September 16.

According to police, Reddy and his associate lured the boy into their car on the pretext of buying firecrackers and took him to a secluded construction site near Bagalur. They allegedly recorded a video forcing the boy to appeal to his father for ransom, binding his hands and legs and covering him with bandages to simulate injuries. Police said Reddy planned the abduction to obtain money to repay a debt.

Despite the boy complying with instructions and pleading to return home, he was allegedly killed by the accused. Police said Reddy and his associate hit the boy on the head with a tree branch and then struck the back of his head with a hollow brick.