In a rapid response to a kidnapping complaint, the Hubballi-Dharwad Police successfully rescued a local contractor, who had been abducted amidst a financial dispute. The daring operation led to the arrest of ten individuals within hours of the initial report.
During a press briefing in Hubballi on Thursday, Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar detailed the events. He stated that the previous Wednesday afternoon, Arvind Chavan, a resident of Surya Nagar, filed a complaint alleging that his younger brother, Mohan Chavan, a contractor, had been forcibly taken by a group estimated to be between 15 and 20 people.
According to Arvind Chavan’s testimony, the primary suspect, Basappa Dalawai from Bailhongal, accompanied by numerous others, stormed into Mohan Chavan’s office in Laxmi Nagar, near Tolanakere, Hubballi. They reportedly intimidated the office staff with severe threats before forcibly taking Mohan. The vehicles used by the perpetrators notably lacked number plates, raising immediate suspicion.
Following the complaint, police forces across Dharwad and Belagavi districts were immediately put on high alert to track the vehicles involved. A police team attempted to intercept the suspects near Hubballi Airport, but the abductors aggressively sped past, endangering the officers. Nevertheless, another vigilant police unit successfully apprehended one of the escape vehicles near KC Park in Dharwad, which was carrying the alleged mastermind, Basappa Dalawai. Later that evening, the car transporting the kidnapped contractor was finally stopped near Muragod in Bailhongal taluk, leading to Mohan Chavan’s safe rescue, Commissioner Shashikumar confirmed.
Commissioner Shashikumar indicated that the preliminary investigation suggests the abduction’s motive was to recover a significant outstanding payment owed by the contractor. It has come to light that Basappa Dalawai, who frequently undertook sub-contracts, claims Mohan Chavan still owes him approximately ₹85 lakh. The police noted that a more in-depth investigation is required to uncover any other potential underlying issues. Due to a head injury sustained by the victim, further detailed information from him is pending.
Elaborating further, Mr. Shashikumar reiterated that the primary motivation appeared to be the retrieval of unpaid debts. After abducting Mohan Chavan, the culprits contacted his family, explicitly demanding money and even allowed Mohan to speak with his relatives. He added that many of Basappa Dalawai’s accomplices were primarily manpower suppliers who also reported not receiving payments for their provided labor.
The Police Commissioner identified the ten arrested individuals, all hailing from Bailhongal, as: Basappa Dalawai (the main accused), Krishnappa Badiger, Majid Sab Nadaf, Rudrappa Bhajantri, Shankar Hiremetri, Nazeer Makandar, Hanumanth Kallakutar, Channappa Manawaddar, Shekhappa Kallawaddar, and Bhimappa Kallawaddar.
The police confirmed that efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend the remaining suspects involved in the incident. In total, three separate cases have been registered, including two related to the assault on police personnel during the rescue operation.
Deputy Commissioners Mahaning Nandagavi and C.R. Raveesh, along with Circle Inspector of Police M.S. Hugar and other officials, were present at the briefing.