What began as a perfectly innocent plan for early-morning Hoskote biryani ended in panic, police complaints and a hard lesson in street smarts for four Bengaluru college students. The group, riding out
for food and fun, instead found themselves held hostage, robbed and digitally cleaned out by a gang that knew exactly how to weaponise fear and UPI apps.
The incident took place under the limits of the Avalahalli police station and unfolded in the quiet hours of early Sunday morning, when roads are empty, minds are relaxed and danger rarely feels close.
A food run that took a dark turn
The four students, all from a reputed college in the Bagalur area, set out on two motorcycles for Hoskote late at night, chasing the legendary biryani that draws food lovers from across Bengaluru. After finishing their meal, they began their return journey around 6 AM, likely thinking the toughest part of the night was behind them.
That assumption proved costly.
Near Medahalli, the group was intercepted by a gang of 6 to 7 men who blocked their path. Before the students could process what was happening, the situation escalated rapidly. Their motorcycles were taken away, their mobile phones were seized, and any illusion of control vanished.
Robbery, UPI-style
This was not a smash-and-grab crime. It was calculated and chillingly modern. Using the students’ own phones, the attackers forced digital transfers of money via UPI.
By the time the ordeal was over, Rs 1.8 lakh had been siphoned off into multiple accounts. Police say the gang also attempted to extract more money, pushing the students to call friends and demand additional transfers.
In a city where cashless payments are a daily convenience, the same tools were turned into instruments of intimidation.
Held hostage for nearly an hour
For close to an hour, the students were allegedly detained, threatened and harassed. The fear was not just of losing money, but of what could happen next if they refused to cooperate.
Meanwhile, friends who received frantic calls sensed something was wrong and rushed to the Bagalur police station to raise the alarm. That decision likely prevented the situation from getting worse.
Police pressure forces gang to flee
Once the police began tracking the students’ location and moving in, the gang realised they were no longer operating in the shadows. The miscreants abandoned the students and fled the spot, leaving them shaken but safe.
Soon after, the victims approached the Avalahalli police station and lodged a formal complaint, detailing the robbery, hostage situation and digital extortion.
One arrest, others still missing
Based on the complaint and follow-up investigation, police arrested Arfat Ahmed, 24, a resident of K.G. Halli who reportedly has a prior criminal record. He is believed to be part of the gang that carried out the attack.
Search operations are ongoing to track down the remaining suspects, and police are probing whether similar gangs are targeting early-morning highway travellers.
A sobering reminder
The case has sparked concern among students and young commuters who often treat late-night and early-morning food trips as harmless adventures. Police say the incident underlines how isolated stretches and low-traffic hours can quickly turn risky.
The message is blunt. In Bengaluru, even a biryani plan needs a safety plan.
