Mangaluru: A 27-year-old woman from Udupi has filed a complaint at the Mangaluru Women’s Police Station alleging that a man she befriended through Instagram forced her into a relationship, sexually assaulted her at a lodge, extorted money and an iPhone, and later blackmailed her by threatening to circulate her private photos and videos.
Based on the complaint, police have arrested the accused and registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The allegations are part of the complainant’s statement, and the investigation is ongoing.
Case registered, accused arrested
The accused has been identified as Karthik Karkera, a resident of Marakada, Bajpe.
Police have registered a case under Sections 64, 78, 351(2) and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and arrested him.
The Mangaluru Women’s Police are continuing their investigation.
Friendship began through Instagram
According to the complaint, the woman was employed in Oman in February 2026 when she came into contact with Karthik through Instagram.
She alleged that within a few days of their acquaintance, he repeatedly pressured her to enter into a relationship and demanded that she send semi-nude photographs.
After she stopped communicating with him, the accused allegedly sent her a photograph claiming he had consumed poison and had been admitted to a hospital. He also allegedly claimed that he consumed marijuana, which, according to the complaint, caused her to remain in contact with him out of fear.
Alleged assault at lodge
The woman stated that after returning to Mangaluru from Oman, the accused repeatedly insisted on meeting her.
According to the complaint, they met at a restaurant in the city on May 10, where he allegedly pressured her to remain with him and threatened to die by suicide if she refused his advances.
The complaint further states that later that night, police intercepted the accused’s motorcycle near Bharat Mahal for allegedly creating excessive noise. After he was taken to a police station, fined and released, it was around 1 am.
The woman has alleged that the accused then forced her to stay at a lodge, where he sexually assaulted her while she was asleep after they had consumed alcohol.
Allegations of extortion and threats
The complainant alleged that although she distanced herself from the accused after the incident, he continued to threaten and blackmail her.
According to the complaint, he demanded money and insisted that she purchase a mobile phone for him. Fearing further harassment, she allegedly bought him an iPhone on May 12.
The woman further alleged that despite receiving the phone, the accused continued to pressure her to remain in the relationship.
Threats over impending marriage
The complainant stated that her marriage was subsequently fixed with another person.
When she informed the accused about her upcoming wedding, he allegedly abused her fiancé, sent him offensive messages and threatened both of them during a conference call.
According to the complaint, after she retrieved the iPhone from the accused without sharing its password, his cousin allegedly answered one of her calls and verbally abused and threatened both the woman and her fiancé.
The complaint further alleges that the accused sent her private photographs and videos through WhatsApp and threatened to prevent her marriage by making the material public.
The woman has also alleged that the accused continues to stalk and harass her and that she fears for her safety and that of her fiancé.
Investigation underway
Police said a case has been registered based on the woman’s complaint, and further investigation is in progress.
Authorities are expected to record statements from those concerned and examine digital evidence as part of the investigation. Further legal action will depend on the outcome of the probe.