Woman abducted in Bengaluru after forced marriage sparks high-speed chase, multiple arrests

Investigators allege that Pooja, a 21-year-old from Melwas village in Rajasthan, was abducted in Bengaluru on Wednesday night after marrying without her family's consent. Her paternal aunt is suspected of dispatching three men—Rakesh, Karan and Ayas—to force her return. The suspects attacked her husband, Omprakash, and forced Pooja into a car that sped through Govindarajanagar and Vijayanagar, colliding with more than 20 vehicles, including a judge’s car.

Six pedestrians, ranging from a 12-year-old to a 64-year-old, sustained injuries, with one woman taken to ICU for a serious head wound. Local residents, led by Deepak and Kiran, chased the vehicle for six to seven kilometres before blocking it near Hoshahalli, leading to the capture of the three men; the driver, identified as Saddam, fled the scene. Police have filed cases for kidnapping, assault and the traffic violations and continue to search for the driver while probing possible involvement of Pooja’s relatives.