Former Karnataka minister held, freed after three days for Rs 48 lakh ransom

Former Karnataka minister R Varthur Prakash, 54, has alleged that unidentified miscreants abducted him and his driver from near his farmhouse at Begli Hosahalli, Kolar, about 70km from Bengaluru, on November 25 and released him three days later, after collecting Rs 48 lakh in ransom. The abduction of Prakash, a resident of Sanjaynagar and from Kolar, came to light on Tuesday after police seized his abandoned SUV near Bellandur lake.