Bengaluru Rehab Escapees Execute Brutal Auto Robbery, Spend Loot on Addictions
In a disturbing incident from Bengaluru, a 21-year-old man and his 17-year-old accomplice, both battling severe addictions to drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes, allegedly escaped from a rehabilitation centre a month ago and carried out a violent robbery, driven by intense withdrawal symptoms. The case underscores the grim consequences of substance abuse and the challenges in rehabilitation efforts.
Auto Driver's Ordeal: From Routine Ride to Violent Assault
The crime came to light after auto driver Darshan CR, a resident of Rayasandra in Electronics City, filed a formal complaint with the Bagalur police on March 5. He recounted that on March 1, he accepted a ride through an aggregator app and picked up the two passengers—identified as Kanish and the teenager—from Huskur, with a drop-off planned near the back gate of Kempegowda International Airport. However, the journey quickly turned sinister.
Near Budigere Cross, the duo instructed Darshan to change the route, claiming they needed to visit a friend's house. After hours of wandering, they directed him to stop at a deserted location. When Darshan demanded the fare of Rs 1,080, the suspects claimed a friend would pay. Sensing danger, Darshan insisted on immediate payment. In a coordinated move, the teenager distracted him with conversation while Kanish allegedly struck Darshan on the head with a stone, repeatedly assaulting him and smashing four of his teeth. The duo then fled with Rs 28,000 from the auto's dashboard, two mobile phones, and the auto itself, according to the complaint.
Police Investigation and Arrest: Digital Tracking Leads to Capture
A police team led by Inspector Ashok tracked down Kanish at a rehabilitation centre near Harlur on March 25. During interrogation, he confessed that they had stolen a mobile phone from the rehab centre owner and used it to book the auto ride. With no money to pay, they decided to rob the driver. Kanish drove the stolen auto to Malur in Kolar district and sold it for Rs 5,000, falsely claiming it belonged to his father, who he said was admitted to Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru. To support this lie, he showed a patient's photo downloaded from the internet to the buyer, promising to return with documents later.
The duo spent the looted money and the sale proceeds on liquor and cigarettes, sleeping on roadsides and in under-construction buildings. Police used CCTV footage and digital tracking to trace Kanish's movements, discovering he had returned to the rehab centre, leading to his arrest. The teenager remains at large. Investigators revealed that Kanish, the son of a businessman, had dropped out of college due to his addiction. He told police the rehab centre denied his request for "at least one cigarette a day," triggering withdrawal symptoms that prompted his escape. Police have since recovered the stolen auto and tracked Kanish through the victim's mobile phones, which were linked to the aggregator app with GPS; he reportedly switched the devices on and off to evade detection.
