Yadgir, 9 August

A journalist was allegedly assaulted and abducted in broad daylight in a dramatic incident near Lumbini Park in Yadgir city at around 11.45am. on Saturday.

Sagar Kumar Desai, 35, the district correspondent of Kranti newspaper, was leaving his home when four unidentified men arrived in a car without a number plate, intercepted him near Lumbini Park and assaulted him. They forcibly bundled Desai into the car and sped away. Lumbini Park security guard and Home Guard personnel Vishwa attempted to intervene but failed to stop them. Vishwa immediately alerted the police control room.

SP Prithvik Shankar ordered a nakabandi (road blockade and vehicle-checking operation). City Police Station PSI Manjunath and his team launched a search for the suspects.

Police combed through CCTV footage for clues, and three to four police teams were deployed. Based on mobile phone tower locations, police in Raichur, Vijayapura and Bagalkot districts were also asked to assist.

Police suspect that the incident may have been linked to an old dispute or personal enmity. Search operations continue.