Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (UM)
Udupi, Sep 4: The police have arrested two persons including the owner of a local TV news channel here in connection to the kidnap and assault of a law student.
The arrested are Vivek G Suvarna alias Vikki, owner of a private local news channel, and Kavan Shetty. They were arrested near Kadekar bus stop on Monday September 4.
Vijay Shetty (32), a third-year student of Vaikunta Baliga Law College, Kunjibettu was kidnapped on August 31 from his rented room in Paniyadi. A group of around 15 men had come in two cars and forcibly taken away Vijay. It is also alleged that they abused and assaulted his classmates who tried to save him.
According to the complaint, Vijay managed to call his friend Arun and inform him that he had been abducted by Vivek and his accomplices. After a while, Arun received another call from Vijay's number. The caller demanded Rs 38 lac as ransom to release Vijay.
However, the kidnappers left Vijay at Katapady and sped away, but not before allegedly thrashing him. Vijay was later admitted to hospital.
It is said that Vivek and the accused are involved in a financial dispute. Vijay had lived in Belagavi for ten years between 2004 and 2014, and the accused Kavan had lent him money, which Vijay reportedly invested in shares and suffered a huge loss. When Kavan demanded his money back, Vijay reportedly gave him a cheque, which bounced. A case in this regard was filed against Vijay, sources said.
Hunt for the rest of the accused is on.