In a shocking incident that has raised serious concerns about student safety, four young engineering students were kidnapped at gunpoint and robbed of a substantial sum of money near India's tech capital, Bengaluru. The brazen crime occurred on the busy Mysuru-Bengaluru highway, highlighting vulnerabilities even on major transport corridors.
The Terrifying Ordeal on the Highway
The victims, all engineering students, were traveling in a car along National Highway 275. According to the police report filed at the Kumbalgodu police station, the students were intercepted by a group of armed assailants. The criminals, who were traveling in a different vehicle, forced the students' car to stop.
The assailants, brandishing lethal weapons, then compelled the four students to get into their vehicle. The students were held hostage as the perpetrators drove away with them. During this terrifying captivity, which lasted for a considerable period, the robbers forcibly took Rs 1.5 lakh in cash from the students.
Police Investigation and Search for Suspects
After robbing the students, the kidnappers eventually released them. The traumatized students immediately approached the Kumbalgodu police and lodged a formal complaint detailing their harrowing experience. Law enforcement authorities have registered a case and have launched a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
Police teams are currently analyzing CCTV footage from cameras installed along the highway and nearby areas to identify the vehicle used by the criminals and track their escape route. The description of the assailants provided by the students is being used to create sketches and circulate alerts. The police are pursuing several leads and have intensified vehicle checks on exit routes from the city.
Broader Implications for Student Safety
This incident has sent shockwaves through the educational community in and around Bengaluru, a city that hosts a massive population of students from across the country. The fact that such a crime could occur on a national highway, often considered relatively safe due to constant traffic flow, is particularly alarming.
Student groups and college administrations are likely to reiterate safety guidelines for those traveling late or carrying valuables. The episode underscores the need for enhanced police patrolling on highway stretches connecting educational hubs and greater awareness among young people. It also raises questions about the security measures in place on inter-city roads frequented by students.
The Kumbalgodu police have assured the public that they are making all efforts to apprehend the accused involved in this serious crime of kidnapping and robbery. The investigation is ongoing.
