Police detain seven in Bengaluru bus hijack

Mangalore Today News Network

Apr 30 2018: The West division police on April 30, Sunday detained seven persons in connection with the hijacking of a private Kannur-bound bus late on April 28, Friday.

Three of the detained are suspected to be recovery agents, who were hired to seize the vehicle for alleged non-payment of loans by the travel company.

Chikkarange Gowda (48), the owner of the firm which hired them, was also arrested on April 29, Sunday.

Posing as police officers, the agents boarded the bus on Mysuru Road on Friday, and drove it to a godown in R.R. Nagar.

They evaded arrest when the police stormed the godown to rescue the passengers.

A fourth associate, who was part of the hijack crew, is still at large.

The bus belonged to Lama Travels, which had allegedly taken a loan from Fullerton India, which has been made an accused in the case.

The four other people, who were detained, worked for Fullerton India.

According to the police, Fullerton India had given the contract to recover the bus to Global Finance.

On Sunday, the police raided the office of Global Finance and later arrested the owner,  Gowda, who was allegedly trying to flee to Tumakuru.

“We intercepted his vehicle at Hanchala Gate and took him for questioning,” said a senior officer.

“Based on the information, we were able to track down the three accused. We are conducting a background check to see if they have a criminal background.”

Ravi D. Channannavar, DCP (West) said: “We are going to take stringent action against the accused as it should be deterrent to others. The accused have violated the rules and used criminal force to recover the money, which attract strict punishment.”

A spokesperson for Fullerton said that the firm was cooperating with the police.

“We have constituted an internal inquiry into the incident with the collection agency in question and necessary action will be taken against those found guilty. Fullerton India strongly condemns the incident and regrets the inconvenience caused to the passengers,” the spokesperson added.