The Malmaruti police have detained eight individuals in connection with the alleged kidnapping and assault of a photographer, Umesh Hosur, a resident of Bailhongal. The accused reportedly claimed Umesh was blackmailing a woman using her photographs.
Sources indicate that Vicky, one of the accused, lured Umesh into a car near KPTCL Hall at Nehru Nagar and abducted him. The group allegedly took him to Chivatanagundi Cross in Bailhongal taluk, where he was assaulted with a rod.
They then brought him to the woman’s residence, where her family members also attacked him before releasing him with threats to his life. After receiving treatment at the BIMS district hospital, Umesh filed a complaint with the Malmaruti police, alleging the attack stemmed from an old grudge and dismissing the blackmail accusations as fabricated.
The police are currently questioning the suspects.
