Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Apr 1: The kidnapping case reported in Sasthan has taken a serious turn with the Kota police arresting seven individuals and invoking the stringent Karnataka Control of Organized Crimes Act (KCOCA), 2000, after uncovering an organized criminal network behind the crime.
According to the complaint filed by Mohan Das Shetty, a resident of Siddapur village, his son Tejas was allegedly kidnapped on November 19, 2025. Tejas’ friend, Prajwal, had informed the complainant that unidentified persons had abducted Tejas near a hotel in Sasthan.
Upon reaching the spot, Mohan Das Shetty found his son’s Fortuner car (KA-15-Z-0007) parked at the location with the key lying beneath the vehicle. During the inquiry, Prajwal revealed he had received a WhatsApp audio call from Tejas’ number, in which Tejas stated he had been kidnapped by unknown persons on the instructions of an accused identified as Manoj Kodikere.
The kidnappers subsequently demanded a ransom of Rs 50 lac for Tejas’ release, threatening to kill him if the amount was not paid. In a later call, the accused escalated the demand to Rs 3 crore, reiterating the death threat.
Based on the complaint, the Kota police registered a case. As the investigation progressed, the police discovered the involvement of an organized criminal syndicate, leading to the invocation of the KCOCA Act. The probe is being led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) H D Kulkarni of the Kundapur sub-division.
The arrested accused have been identified as Devi Prasad Shetty alias Dikshit (33) from Katipalla, Sujith (27) from Hiriyadka, Sudeep (22) from Katipalla, Sreesha Anand Shetty alias Sreesha (35) from Krishnapura, Mithun alias Mithun Kaikamba (20) from Surathkal, Suhas (31) from Padukudru, and Manoj V Kotyan (34) from Hoode. All the accused have been produced before the court and remanded to judicial custody.
Prime accused absconding
Meanwhile, two prime accused—Manoj Kodikere (42) of Mangaluru and Chetan Padil alias Chetan Kulal (38) of Bantwal—are currently absconding. Police records indicate that Manoj Kodikere has 18 cases registered in Mangaluru city and two in Udupi district, while Chetan Padil faces 11 cases in Mangaluru and two in Udupi.
The police have appealed to the public for any information regarding the whereabouts of the absconding accused. Informants can contact DySP H D Kulkarni at 9480805422. A cash reward of Rs 50,000 has been announced for credible information, and the identity of informants will be kept confidential.