Bengaluru: A man who has acted in small roles in many television series and is also a member of the Ramanagara child welfare committee (CWC) was arrested after a woman Thursday accused him of blackmailing and sexually exploiting her. Rajarajeshwarinagar police said the accused, Chandre Gowda alias Haniyur Chandre Gowda, 46, a resident of BHEL Second Stage in Pattanagere, likely committed similar fraud and blackmail with several women.Gowda allegedly befriended the 43-year-old complainant in 2021. The woman, a make-up artist separated from her husband for eight years and mother of a boy, said Gowda claimed to be a television actor, a lecturer and a divorcee, gaining her trust with promises of marriage and help in securing a divorce.As their relationship grew, the accused allegedly entered into a physical relationship with her under the pretext of marriage. However, the situation soon turned coercive, with Gowda reportedly using private photos and videos to blackmail her.In 2024, he allegedly rented a house in Rajarajeshwarinagar using her Aadhaar card, introduced himself as her husband to the landlord and even listed himself as the father in her son’s school records. The woman also alleged that he took cash and valuables from her and left his mother in her care for nearly a year.The web of deceit did not end there. According to the complaint, Gowda possessed an identity card posing as a superintendent of police and used it at toll plazas. More recently, he allegedly claimed to be the chairperson of the child welfare committee in Ramanagara district.The case took a dramatic turn when the complainant checked his mobile phone and reportedly found nude photos and videos of several other women, raising suspicions that she was not the only victim.Confirming the arrest, a senior police officer said Gowda is indeed a member of the CWC, though police are yet to collect documents of the same. A case has been registered under BNS Sections 69 (sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means) and 204 (personating a public servant). Gowda has been taken into police custody. Police said Gowda has acted in small roles in many television series.Police have urged other victims, if any, to come forward and file complaints as the investigation continues to unfold.MSID:: 130680413 413 |
