Bhatkal: The incident of kidnapping of two people in filmy style turned out to be arrests made by forest officials, who came in three-four wheelers, in Bhatkal town on Friday. 

It is said that  Afzal (33) of Azad Nagar and Abdul Malik (40) of  Sultan Street were going for weekly Friday prayers when forest officials carried the raid on Bunder road 5th cross and took both of them into their custody. The labourers who were constructing houses in the area, saw three vehicles arriving at the spot and forcefully taking the youth from the bike and putting them into their vehicles. The vehicles sped away even as the labourers raised an alarm. Based on an oral complaint, Bhatkal police  visited the spot and talked with local people. The police also examined the CCTV footage of the area. But later the forest department informed that they have taken the duo in  their custody and arrested Afzal but released the other youth Abdul Malik.

According to the forest officials, Afzal was wanted for  an animal hunting case. But locals  objected to the filmy manner of the arrests and the subsequent silence over the arrests for more than 9 hours. The situation in the town had become tense after the news of the alleged kidnapping spread everywhere. The forest officials announced they had carried out the raid and made arrests late in the evening after 10 pm.

Afzal was produced before the court and sent to police custody until Monday, but court ordered the govt doctors to re conduct his medical as marks were seen in Afzal's body by judge, who was allegedly beaten by forest officials after his arrest. According to defence lawyer Victor Gomes, the forest officials presented the medical certificate to the court while producing Afzal. But court ordered to show his assaulted marks when he raised objection on medical certificate. Later the judge ordered to re conduct the medical.