BENGALURU, India — A former grocery store owner, Ravi Prasad Reddy, has been arrested on charges of murdering two friends in an alleged plot for financial gain. The 40-year-old Reddy, whose business suffered devastating losses during the COVID-19 pandemic, has seen his life spiral into turmoil, culminating in a descent into crime.
Reddy, who previously ran the “Happy Family Stores,” reportedly accumulated debts of around ₹5 crore as many of his clients and partners lost their livelihoods or abandoned the city during the pandemic. After his business collapsed, he was forced to sell personal property and lease out his stores. Struggling to support his family, he turned to selling vegetables as a means of subsistence.
According to police, Reddy is accused of murdering tea shop owner R. Madesh, aged 41, and Balappa Reddy, a 61-year-old metal fabrication factory owner. The allegations suggest that Reddy sought the men out to rob them and possibly demand ransom. He was apprehended over the weekend at a bar located near his residence.
Further investigation revealed violent encounters during the abduction of Balappa Reddy, which occurred on November 6. During a subsequent interrogation, police say that Reddy attempted to resist arrest, injuring himself in the process. Accompanying him during these events were two associates, Dhanush and Sateesh, who have also been taken into custody for questioning, along with Reddy’s sister, Sunanda, who is suspected of involvement.
As the investigation unfolded, city police intensified their efforts by interviewing the families of the victims about their financial dealings. Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh noted that this strategy aided in narrowing down their suspect. Reddy’s emotional turmoil appeared to stem from perceived betrayals, as he stated that the two men he had previously lent money to failed to assist him in his time of need.
Before his descent into crime, Reddy had built a successful grocery business with support from his uncle. However, financial woes triggered by the pandemic forced him to abandon his entrepreneurial efforts, leading to a precarious living situation that strained family ties. After losing his home, his wife and children relocated to live with relatives, leaving Reddy to fend for himself in a modest rented space.
Remarkably, Reddy reportedly drew inspiration from crime films, which depicted ransom scenarios, before allegedly plotting his own elaborate kidnapping scheme. Over the course of three months, he meticulously planned his actions, targeting Madesh first for a supposed business deal. The initial confrontation turned violent when Reddy allegedly attacked Madesh at knifepoint, forcing him to flee.
Following this failed abduction, Reddy’s next move was to kidnap Balappa, using an advocate friend’s vehicle to facilitate the crime. After confronting Balappa under the pretense of a business meeting, an argument reportedly escalated to murder. Reddy is accused of fatally attacking Balappa and then attempting to dispose of the body in a remote area, reflecting a chilling resolve amidst his desperate circumstances.
As the investigation continues, police are looking into the full extent of Reddy’s financial entanglements with both victims, aiming to deepen the understanding of motives that fueled these tragic events.