Congress functionary, mastermind behind Vijayanagar doctor’s kidnap, arrested

BALLARI: A local Congress leader, who is the son of a former city municipal council vice-president, has turned out to be the mastermind in the kidnap of Dr Sunil, a paediatrician at the Vijayanagar district hospital. Vijaykumar has been named the main accused in the case and has been sent to judicial custody after he was arrested.

The doctor was released by the kidnappers on the night of January 25 after the police were informed.

According to the police, Vijaykumar had allegedly planned the kidnap for ransom. He is said to be close to Congress leaders and was absconding ever since his name cropped up during investigation, sources said.

Footage from CCTV shows the kidnappers dragging Dr Sunil into a car on the day of the kidnapping.

Vijaykumar was hiding in an influential Congress leader’s house and the party leaders had backed him strongly. Sources said that he was able to evade the police for four days as he was hiding in a Congress leader’s residence.