3 Bengaluru men kidnap spa owner, demands ₹2 lakh ransom. Police finds 'online gaming' link

The matter came to light on February 15 after the manager of a spa in Akshayanagar, Begur, filed a complaint at the Electronic City police station.

Published on: Feb 18, 2026, 21:32:28 IST

Edited by Shivya Kanojia

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Three men have been arrested for allegedly kidnapping a spa owner in Bengaluru and demanding a ransom of ₹2 lakh, police said on Wednesday.

The matter came to light on February 15 after the manager of a spa in Akshayanagar, Begur. (AI generated, representation image)

The matter came to light on February 15 after the manager of a spa in Akshayanagar, Begur, filed a complaint at the Electronic City police station in the Karnataka capital.

According to police, the accused intercepted the victim and his manager while they were returning home after closing the spa, news agency PTI reported.

Car intercepts two-wheeler

In his complaint, the manager stated that the two were travelling on a two-wheeler along Arena Sports Road near Bettadasanapura when a car suddenly blocked their path.

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Police said the accused verbally abused them and attacked the manager with deadly weapons. They then allegedly forced the spa owner into their vehicle and drove away.

Soon after, the kidnappers contacted the manager and demanded ₹2 lakh, threatening to kill the victim if the money was not paid.

Police said that during interrogation, it emerged that one of the accused had been employed at an apartment complex in Gottigere. He had allegedly misappropriated apartment funds and later lost the money in online gaming.

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In an attempt to recover the loss, he allegedly assumed that the spa owner had access to cash. He then conspired with two associates to carry out the kidnapping and demand ransom.

On the evening of February 17, police tracked the accused to a deserted stretch near a petrol bunk on S Bingipura Road. The spa owner was rescued safely, and all three men were arrested, a senior officer said.

Officers seized the car used in the crime, deadly weapons, three mobile phones and ₹9,700 in cash.

The accused were produced before a court on February 18 and remanded to police custody for further investigation.

(With inputs from PTI)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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