The Chevayur police have arrested a man in connection with the alleged abduction and extortion of a 21-year-old person, who was reportedly held captive and threatened with circulation of private videos unless his family paid ₹8 lakh.

The arrested is Jishnu Jayan, a native of Mattannur in Kannur. He was taken into custody from Kannur by a special squad on Wednesday (August 12, 2026).

The complainant, who had travelled to Bengaluru to meet a friend, alleged that a six-member gang had abducted him and recorded the videos before demanding the ransom.

According to the complaint received by the police, the youth travelled to Bengaluru on July 24, 2026, and was staying at his friend’s flat. He was allegedly taken out by the gang on the pretext of meeting another acquaintance.

They allegedly took him to an isolated location and confined him there. The accused allegedly recorded private videos of the youth and later sent the footage to his family members.

According to police sources, the abductors reportedly demanded ₹8 lakh from the family for his release and threatened to circulate more videos if the money was not paid. When the family refused to pay the ransom, the youth was allegedly assaulted.

The youth, in his petition, claimed that he managed to escape from the gang’s custody and returned to Kerala to move the legal way. He subsequently approached the Chevayur police and lodged a complaint.

Police sources said a woman and four other persons, in addition to the arrested person, were allegedly involved in the incident. They were found absconding following the intensified probe.

Published - August 13, 2026 07:53 pm IST