BENGALURU, India — A former grocery store owner has been arrested for allegedly murdering two close friends in a desperate attempt to recover financial losses exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ravi Prasad Reddy, 40, turned to selling vegetables after his grocery chain fell into disarray, suffering an estimated loss of ₹5 crore as many of his clients disappeared or defaulted on their debts during the health crisis.
Investigators revealed that about 60 individuals with whom Reddy had financial ties either died or left Bengaluru during the pandemic, compounding his financial woes. Police allege that Reddy killed RMadesh, 41, a tea shop owner and fellow chit-fund operator, and 61-year-old Balappa Reddy, who owned a metal fabrication factory, out of desperation for money and as part of a planned kidnapping for ransom scheme.
Reddy was apprehended at a bar not far from his home, where authorities made the arrest on Saturday afternoon. The situation escalated later that night when he attempted to attack police officers during a site investigation at a burial ground in Bommasandra. He was shot in both knees during the confrontation.
Two of Reddy’s associates, Dhanush and Sateesh, were also taken into custody for questioning, as they reportedly assisted in Balappa’s abduction earlier in November. Reddy’s sister, Sunanda, who was allegedly present in the vehicle during the abduction, remains a person of interest in the investigation.
City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh noted that investigations intensified following interviews with the victims’ families, focusing on their financial dealings. “This is how we zeroed in on the suspect,” he explained, indicating that special teams from the city crime branch and local police were summoned to expedite the investigation.
Reddy’s relationship with the victims had previously been framed as amicable. He had previously lent money to both men but claimed that when he fell on hard times, they refused to assist him. “This made me develop hatred towards them,” Reddy reportedly told police, leading to further scrutiny about any outstanding debts he may have owed.
Originally from Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh, Reddy established a chain of Happy Family Stores with family support, enjoying success until the pandemic hit. He tried to mitigate his losses by selling property and leasing out his stores but ultimately fell into deeper financial challenges, which resulted in significant lifestyle changes, including a move into a small rental home owned by one of the murder victims.
In an unusual turn, Reddy drew inspiration from crime films that depicted kidnappings for ransom. With plans to extract money from his victims, he purchased an air pistol and knives, reportedly intending to utilize a metal detector to search for hidden treasures. According to investigators, he had been plotting the crimes for three months.
The first attempted abduction targeted Madesh, who Reddy believed had a significant amount of cash at his construction site. After Madesh resisted and fled, Reddy turned to Balappa as his next target, which escalated into further violence. According to police reports, he tricked Balappa into discussing business before attacking him in a secluded area.
Following the attacks, Reddy allegedly transported the bodies, attempting to conceal the crimes by disposing of them in a forest area near Hosur. The tragic turn of events serves as a stark reminder of how financial distress can lead individuals down a dark path, ultimately culminating in violence and tragedy.