Udupi: In connection to the kidnap and assault case of a law student on 31st August, the police have arrested two persons including the owner of a local TV news channel here on 4th September, Monday.
The arrested accused are Vivek G Suvarna alias Vikki, owner of a private local news channel, and Kavan Shetty. Both were arrested by the police near Kadekar bus stop on Monday.
According to the sources, the victim Vijay Shetty (32 yrs), a third-year student of Vaikunta Baliga Law College, Kunjibettu was kidnapped by a group of 15 men from his rented room in Paniyadi. The kidnappers arrived in two cars and forcibly took him away.
Vijay has also alleged that he and his friends who tried to save him were abused and assaulted by the gang. However, Vijay managed to call his friend Arun and informed him that he had been abducted by Vivek and his accomplices.
Later, another call was received by Arun from the same number and the caller demanded Rs 38 lac as ransom to release Vijay. Although, the kidnappers left Vijay at Katapady before any ransom was delivered, he was badly thrashed by them.
Vijay was immediately admitted into a hospital.
It was gathered that Vivek had a financial dispute with the accused Kavan who had lent him huge amount of money which he lost in share market. Although, he had given a cheque of said amount to Kavan, it bounced. A case of fraud stands registered against him.
The police suspect this as the motive behind the kidnapping and assault on Vijay. A case has been registered and the hunt is on for the rest of the accused.