Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jan 29: It has been reported that a youth kidnapped his former business partner, brutally assaulted him for two hours with the assistance of ruffians, and abandoned him on the road in critical condition. It is alleged that the main accused had been pursuing his demand for money from his erstwhile partner, and had turned angry at the fact his demand had not been met.

The incident occurred within the limits of Kota police station, and the person who was grievously injured in the incident is Rajesh Shetty (25), son of Narasimha Shetty from Achlady in the taluk.

Reportedly, Achlady Rajesh Shetty and Basrur Sudhir Shetty, who are distant cousins, had formed a partnership and opened a medical shop some years back. The partnership was dissolved in later years, but Sudhir Shetty, who claimed that he had lost Rs 50,000 in the business, kept on insisting that Rajesh Shetty should make good this loss. Sudhir Shetty also threatened to murder Rajesh Shetty, and repeatedly pestered Rajesh over phone to part with money since the last six months, it is alleged. Rajesh did not take this threat seriously.

At around 5.30 pm on Wednesday, a Maruti Omni van bearing registration No KA 20 D 2043 pulled up near Rajesh Shetty's house. Sudhir Shetty and six other unidentified persons alighted from the vehicle, barged into Rajesh's house, and dragged him away. Rajesh's motor bike was also taken away by them. Only Rajesh was at home at the time, and the family members who came home later, felt that Rajesh had gone out to attend some work. Some local youth had seen the vehicle approaching Rajesh's house, but they did not take it seriously as they were not aware that the youth had been kidnapped.

The gang dumped Rajesh inside the van, and continued to assault him when the van was on the move through B H Road, Herikere, Basrur etc. They pulled away a gold chain from his neck, and called his friends by using Rajesh's cellphone, asking them to pay Rs 50,000 or be prepared for the murder of Rajesh if they fail to pay or inform the police.

A friend of Rajesh immediately arranged for the amount and placed cash at a spot mentioned by the gang at about 9 pm. By then, the gang had seriously injured Rajesh in his head. The gang members escaped after dumping Rajesh and his motor bike near Hunsemakki village. Friends of Rajesh took him to Kundapur where treatment was provided, before he was shifted to Manipal Hospital.

A case relating to the incident stands registered in Kota police station. The police have begun efforts to arrest the culprits.