A 21-year-old woman, who recently married her partner against her family’s wishes in Rajasthan, was reportedly abducted in west Bengaluru on Wednesday evening. This incident escalated into a chaotic scene as residents pursued the vehicle involved. The chase ended when the car collided with over 20 other vehicles, resulting in injuries to six individuals, according to police reports.
The woman, Pooja, from Melwas village in Rajasthan’s Pali district, was rescued by residents and handed over to the police. Police are searching for Saddam, who allegedly drove the car and fled after residents stopped it. Police are investigating allegations that Pooja’s paternal aunt, who opposed the marriage, hired men to abduct her and take her back to Rajasthan. The couple subsequently moved to Bengaluru.
Three alleged kidnappers, Rakesh, 21, Karan, 25, and Ayas, 18, were arrested. More than 20 vehicles were damaged during the chase, including a car belonging to a judge.
“Initial investigation suggests that a paternal aunt of the girl was behind the incident and hired supari goondas to kidnap her and bring her to Rajasthan,” Yetish said. He said police had arrested three of the alleged kidnappers while Saddam escaped. “A case has been registered at Magadi Road police station under multiple sections of the BNS relating to assault, kidnapping and rash and negligent driving,” he said. Police said complaints from vehicle owners whose vehicles were damaged had been included in a single FIR. Police said Pooja and Omprakash, also from Melwas village, had been in a relationship and married about nine months ago despite opposition from their families.
Investigators are examining the alleged involvement of Pooja’s relatives. The pursuit continued through Govindarajanagar and Vijayanagar as the accused allegedly attempted to flee. Residents Deepak and Kiran followed the vehicle on a two wheeler for nearly seven kilometres after hearing Pooja’s cries. They alerted other residents near Hosahalli, who helped block the car.
“Prima facie, it is found that the victim married against the wishes of her family members, which is the reason for the crime,” Yetish said.
