A 21-year-old woman was rescued after three men allegedly forced her into a car in Bengaluru’s Agrahara Dasarahalli and attempted to drive her away on Wednesday night, triggering a chase through Magadi Road, Govindarajanagar and Vijayanagar that left at least six people injured and damaged more than 20 vehicles, police said.
The woman, identified as Pooja from Melwas village in Rajasthan, had moved to Bengaluru with her husband Omprakash after the couple married against their families’ wishes around nine months ago. They were living in a rented house in Agrahara Dasarahalli, according to the report by Vijay Karnataka.
Police have arrested Rakesh, 21, Karan, 25, and Ayas, 18, in connection with the incident. The car driver, identified as Saddam, allegedly fled when local residents stopped the vehicle near Hosahalli in Vijayanagar. Police are searching for him.
According to the report, the accused arrived in Dasarahalli on Wednesday evening following instructions from Pooja’s paternal aunt, who had opposed the marriage. The men allegedly assaulted Omprakash and forced Pooja into the car. Her cries alerted residents, who began following the vehicle.
Police said the accused drove the car erratically through Govindarajanagar and Vijayanagar while attempting to escape. During the chase, the vehicle collided with more than 20 vehicles, including a judge’s car. The incident caused injuries to Prithviraj, 12, Yashika, 9, Amool, 35, Mani, 64, Jayalakshmi, 57, and Santosh, 33.
Jayalakshmi suffered a serious head injury and was receiving treatment at a private hospital. Police said her condition was critical. The reported collisions turned an alleged abduction into a wider road-safety incident, exposing pedestrians, drivers and passengers to danger across multiple localities.
Local residents Deepak and Kiran reportedly followed the car for about six to seven kilometres. Near Hosahalli, they and other residents blocked the vehicle. When the occupants allegedly tried to drive away, residents threw stones at the car and stopped it. Pooja and the three arrested men were subsequently handed over to the police.
The case has been registered and the investigation is continuing. Police are also conducting a search for Saddam, while the circumstances surrounding the alleged abduction and the involvement of the other persons named in the report remain part of the investigation.
