Bengaluru: A 21-year-old woman from Rajasthan, who was allegedly abducted from her Bengaluru home following her marriage against her family's wishes, has alleged that she was molested while being forced into a moving car during the incident, according to her complaint.
The case has taken a new turn as police investigate the alleged role of her in-laws in planning the abduction.
The woman, identified in earlier reports as Pooja, had married a 23-year-old man from Rajasthan against the wishes of their families and moved to Bengaluru. The couple had been living in Agrahara Dasarahalli.
Police have arrested three men from Rajasthan in connection with the alleged abduction, while another man identified as Saddam, who allegedly drove the vehicle, remains absconding.
Woman alleges molestation while being taken away
According to the complaint, the woman alleged that the men misbehaved with her while bundling her into a Hyundai Venue after taking her from her residence.
The latest allegations have added a molestation angle to the case. Police are examining the woman’s account as part of the investigation into how she was taken from her home and the events that followed.
The woman reportedly told police that the men arrived at her residence and claimed that they had been sent by her father. Believing their explanation, she opened the door and accompanied them outside. She allegedly realised that she was being taken against her will only after they made a video call to her husband’s mother.
Police allege in-laws were behind the abduction
The investigation has reportedly indicated that the three arrested men were allegedly hired by the woman’s father-in-law to bring her back to Rajasthan.
According to police, Rakesh, 31, Karan, 28, and Ayan, 18, all from Pali in Rajasthan, had arrived in Bengaluru around 10 days before the incident. They allegedly stayed at a hotel near Majestic and monitored the movements of the woman’s husband before carrying out the alleged abduction.
Police have said the woman’s parents-in-law could also face arrest for their alleged role in planning and executing the abduction. The driver, Saddam, remains wanted.
The claims about the family’s involvement are part of the ongoing police investigation and have not been established by a court.
Love marriage reportedly led to family dispute
The woman and her husband had reportedly been in a relationship for several years before getting married in Rajasthan in February.
The husband, identified by police as Ramesh in the Times of India report, said the families opposed their relationship. The couple subsequently opted for a court marriage and moved to Bengaluru, citing concerns about their safety.
The couple later began living in a rented residence in Agrahara Dasarahalli.
Police are investigating whether the alleged abduction was connected to the family’s opposition to the marriage.
Car chase ends after public intervention
The alleged abduction turned into a road chase after the Hyundai Venue left the area with the woman inside.
According to the woman’s complaint, the vehicle was allegedly driven rashly as the occupants attempted to escape. She alleged that the driver was instructed to continue moving despite vehicles coming in the way.
The vehicle reportedly collided with several other vehicles during the escape. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening and resulted in injuries to six people, according to reports.
Members of the public pursued the vehicle and eventually intercepted it. Videos of the chase and the occupants being pulled out of the vehicle circulated widely on social media.
The woman was rescued and handed over to police.
Six people injured in vehicle collisions
The collisions during the escape left six people injured, according to police and media reports.
Those injured included Prithviraj, 12; Yashika, 9; Amul, 35; Mani, 64; Jayalakshmi, 57; and Santosh, 33. Jayalakshmi reportedly suffered a head injury and was admitted to an intensive care unit.
Police have seized the Hyundai Venue allegedly used in the incident.
The exact circumstances of each collision and the actions of the driver are being investigated.
Three arrested, driver remains absconding
Magadi Road police arrested Rakesh, Karan and Ayan based on the woman’s complaint. The three accused are from Rajasthan.
Saddam, who allegedly drove the Hyundai Venue, remains absconding and police are searching for him.
The investigation is expected to focus on the alleged planning of the abduction, the role of the woman’s relatives, the circumstances in which she was taken from her home and her allegations of mistreatment inside the vehicle.
Police are also examining the events surrounding the road chase and the injuries caused during the vehicle’s escape.
Investigation continues
The case has drawn attention after what initially appeared to be a road accident and public confrontation turned into an alleged abduction case involving a family dispute.
The woman’s allegation of molestation is now part of the police investigation. The allegations against the arrested men and the woman’s relatives will have to be established through the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.
Police are continuing efforts to locate the absconding driver and establish the full sequence of events leading from the alleged abduction to the road chase.