A Bengaluru-based businessman has filed a police complaint accusing his estranged wife of extortion, cheating and criminal intimidation, alleging that she threatened to tarnish his reputation by spreading false claims that he was suffering from HIV/AIDS.
Based on the complaint, Marathahalli police have registered a case against 37-year-old Swathi B under various sections relating to cheating, criminal breach of trust, theft, extortion, forgery, defamation and criminal intimidation. Police said an investigation is underway.
Alleged threats and demands
The complainant, a 51-year-old businessman who runs a Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) training institute in Marathahalli, told police that he met Swathi through a matrimonial platform in October 2021 and married her in February 2022.
According to the complaint, the relationship later deteriorated, following which the woman allegedly demanded ₹50 lakh and threatened to damage his reputation if he refused to comply.
The businessman claimed that the threats included spreading false allegations that he was suffering from AIDS and operating a prostitution racket.
Claims of financial losses
The complainant further alleged that Swathi misrepresented her educational qualifications and employment status before marriage.
He told police that he spent substantial amounts on gold jewellery, accommodation, investments and the education of her son from a previous marriage based on the information she had provided.
The businessman also accused her of stealing ₹18 lakh in cash, foreign currency, gold and silver articles from his residence.
Additional allegations under probe
In his complaint, he alleged that the accused took away his car using duplicate keys, vandalised his office, forged his signature on a cheque and withdrew ₹83,000 from his bank account without authorisation.
Speaking to police, the businessman also claimed that Swathi frequently boasted about having connections with influential individuals and allegedly threatened him with consequences if he opposed her.
Police have registered a case and begun an investigation into the allegations. Officials said the claims made by both parties will be examined as part of the ongoing probe.
No arrests have been reported so far.