Bengaluru: In a shocking kidnap and assault case, police have arrested 11 persons, including actor-influencer Aishwarya aka Ash Mello.
Kannada film director TA Anish, originally from Tamil Nadu, filed a complaint at Adugodi police station on February 11 after being allegedly lured on the pretext of a car sale, kidnapped, assaulted and robbed.
Anish was admitted to hospital with multiple injuries to his hands and legs. The incident came to light when the hospital reported it as a medico-legal case.
The victim, who runs a modelling and casting agency, was directing the film ‘Jeevanada Bhashe’ when he travelled from Mumbai to Bengaluru two weeks ago, after being told a buyer was interested in his car, a Honda CRV.
Anish told police he was taken to a house on the outskirts of Bengaluru, where a group of people allegedly assaulted him with hockey sticks and demanded that he withdraw an earlier complaint linked
to a financial dispute.
According to police, the dispute centred around an unpaid loan of Rs 2.5 lakh, allegedly borrowed by one of the accused Ashirvad (also referred to as Aashi or Ash Mello in some accounts), and disagreements over an investment of Rs 5-6 lakh by one Lakshmi Narayana in Anish’s unreleased film ‘Jeevanada Bhashe’.
The director was allegedly robbed of gold ornaments and cash and forced into a vehicle, where he was assaulted and admitted to a hospital after the accused allegedly withdrew money using his ATM card.
Anish, who has directed short films, feature films and album songs, got acquainted with Aashi, alias Ashirwad, who subsequently borrowed Rs 2.5 lakh from the complainant. But when Anish asked for repayment, Ashirwad not only refused, but allegedly issued threats.
Seeking to sell his Honda CRV, the complainant contacted Aishwarya, who introduced him to her friend Shahid, as a potential buyer.
Anish met Aishwarya, Shahid and an unidentified associate on February 9.
Following an inspection of the car, Shahid instructed the complainant to go to his brother’s house to collect a payment of Rs 1.5 lakh. On entering the designated second-floor apartment, the complainant was locked up, and Ashirwad and an accomplice brutally beat him up with a cricket wicket and a hockey stick.