Second accused arrested in Bengaluru boy's kidnap-murder case

Bengaluru police have arrested the second accused in the alleged kidnap and murder of a 13-year-old boy, who had been absconding since the incident. The accused, Elukondalvada, worked as a cleaner on a private school bus.

The case relates to the abduction and killing of Prajwal, a class 6 student. The main accused, Bhaskar Reddy, an IT professional known to the boy's family, was arrested earlier.

According to the police, the boy was kidnapped from a neighbour's house as part of a plan to demand a ₹1 crore ransom. Reddy allegedly lured Prajwal out on the pretext of buying firecrackers and then took him away along with Elukondalvada.

Investigators allege that the accused attacked the boy with a hollow brick, fearing he could identify them, and then concealed the body in the boot of a car. The vehicle was later involved in a series of collisions on Ballari Road. Motorists alerted the police after the accidents, and a search of the vehicle led to the discovery of the boy's body.

Police suspect that Reddy planned the kidnapping to raise money to repay his father's debts.

Following Elukondalvada's arrest, the police said they recovered multiple identity cards bearing different dates of birth from his possession. Investigators are verifying the documents to establish his actual age and determine his precise role in the kidnapping and murder.

Reddy allegedly initially told the police that the boy had accidentally come in front of his car and died, and that he was taking the body away to dispose of it. The police were not convinced and began questioning him.

Meanwhile, Prajwal's father had already reported the boy missing after learning that he had gone with Reddy and failed to return. This helped the police establish the identity of the body and connect Reddy to the boy.