Police traced a switched‑off mobile, later locating it in a room in Hassan district where Manish slept with two associates.
Deputy Commissioner Yathish explained the scheme stemmed from a failed business deal that left Manish in debt.
Manohar, alarmed by a WhatsApp call that claimed his son had been kidnapped, alerted authorities before police could verify the story.
The case, registered under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code, will proceed to trial after preliminary hearings.