Bengaluru boy, 13, kidnapped and killed; body found in car boot after road crash
Synopsis
A 13-year-old boy from Yelahanka was lured into a car on the pretext of buying Ganesh festival firecrackers, held for ransom, and allegedly beaten to death with a brick. His body was found hidden in the car's boot only after the suspected killer crashed into multiple vehicles on Ballari Service Road — and locals physically stopped him from fleeing towards Andhra Pradesh.
Key Takeaways
Prajwal , 13 , a resident of Vinayakanagar, Yelahanka, Bengaluru , was allegedly kidnapped and killed on Wednesday evening .
Prime accused Bhaskar Reddy , a neighbour, allegedly lured the boy under the pretext of buying firecrackers for a Ganesh procession .
Reddy allegedly killed Prajwal with a hollow brick inside the car and hid the body in the boot before attempting to flee to Andhra Pradesh .
The body was discovered by Chikkajala police after Reddy caused a series of road accidents on Ballari Service Road and was detained by locals.
A second accused, identified as Yelukundalavada , is currently absconding ; police have launched a search operation.
A 13-year-old boy was allegedly kidnapped and beaten to death with a brick in Bengaluru, with his body subsequently discovered inside the boot of a car after a series of road accidents on Ballari Service Road. The incident, which unfolded on Wednesday evening, has shaken residents of the Yelahanka area and drawn sharp attention to the safety of children in the locality.
How the Crime Unfolded
The victim, identified as Prajwal, a resident of Vinayakanagar in Yelahanka, was allegedly lured into a car by the prime accused, Bhaskar Reddy, who reportedly lived in the same neighbourhood. According to preliminary police investigation, Reddy took Prajwal on the pretext of purchasing firecrackers for a Ganesh procession on Wednesday evening.
Instead of taking the boy to buy crackers, Reddy allegedly kept him confined inside the vehicle and subsequently demanded money from Prajwal's family. The accused allegedly made Prajwal record a video, which was then used to threaten his parents into paying a ransom.
The Alleged Murder and Attempted Escape
Police suspect that Reddy subsequently assaulted Prajwal with a hollow brick inside the moving car, killing him. He then allegedly placed the boy's body in the boot of the vehicle and attempted to flee in the direction of Andhra Pradesh.
During the journey, Reddy reportedly lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a wall. He allegedly went on to cause a series of further accidents on Ballari Service Road, prompting local residents to physically detain him at the scene.
Body Discovered, Accused Arrested
Chikkajala police were alerted about the accidents and arrived at the spot to inspect the vehicle. When officers opened the boot, they reportedly found Prajwal's body inside. During initial questioning, Reddy allegedly attempted to mislead investigators by claiming the boy had accidentally come in front of the car and died in an accident, adding that he was transporting the body towards Andhra Pradesh on the instructions of a friend.
However, the preliminary investigation reportedly revealed that Prajwal had been murdered. Police subsequently placed Reddy under arrest. Authorities also noted that Reddy was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crime.
Hunt for Second Accused
Police are actively searching for a second accused, identified as Yelukundalavada, who is currently absconding. Investigators are questioning the arrested accused and further developments are expected as the probe advances.
This case highlights a disturbing pattern of crimes in which children are targeted for ransom, with the pretext of festive outings used to gain the victim's trust. The investigation is ongoing and further details are expected to emerge.
Point of View
And not through any tip or investigation, raises uncomfortable questions about how close the accused came to escaping entirely. With a second suspect still at large, the investigation's credibility now rests on how quickly and transparently Chikkajala police close that gap. Bengaluru's rapid urban expansion into peripheral zones like Yelahanka has outpaced community policing, and cases like this demand a harder look at neighbourhood surveillance gaps.
NationPress
18 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the victim in the Bengaluru kidnapping and murder case?
The victim was Prajwal , a 13-year-old boy residing in Vinayakanagar, Yelahanka, Bengaluru . He was allegedly kidnapped on Wednesday evening and beaten to death, with his body later found inside the boot of a car.
Who has been arrested in connection with the case?
The prime accused, Bhaskar Reddy , a resident of the same locality as the victim, has been arrested by Chikkajala police . Reddy was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crime and was detained by local residents after causing multiple road accidents.
How was the body discovered?
Prajwal's body was found inside the boot of Reddy's car after Reddy allegedly caused a series of accidents on Ballari Service Road while attempting to flee towards Andhra Pradesh. Local residents stopped him, and police discovered the body when they inspected the vehicle.
Is a second accused still at large?
Yes. A second accused, identified as Yelukundalavada , is reportedly absconding. Bengaluru police have launched an active search operation to trace and apprehend him.
What was the alleged motive behind the kidnapping?
According to the preliminary police investigation, the accused allegedly kidnapped Prajwal to extort money from his family. Reddy reportedly made the boy record a video, which was used to threaten his parents and demand ransom.
