Karwar: Former Subrahmanya GP member arrested for illicit relationship, blackmailing woman with explicit photos

Karwar: A former member of Subrahmanya Gram Panchayat has been arrested by the Karwar police on the accusation of blackmailing a married woman with her objectionable photographs.

The arrested accused has been identified as Prashant Bhat Manila (35), a resident of Arlapadav, Puttur, who was active in political and social activities in Subrahmanya.

According to the complaint by the 28-year-old married woman from Sirsi, the two met through a social media site. The woman posted her singing performances on a music app called Clubhouse and the accused later offered her a chance to sing in an orchestra in front of a much larger audience.

The accused later developed physical intimacy with the woman at a lodge in Sirsi, where the photos in compromising positions were clicked. These photos were used to blackmail her, the woman said in her complaint.

The woman alleged Prashant had demanded Rs 7 lakhs for keeping the matter under wraps. The woman had allegedly paid Rs 25,000 to the accused, but photographs were shared with her family including her husband and mother.

The aggrieved woman has filed a complaint against Prashant alleging rape at the Karwar police station.

Police, meanwhile have arrested Prashant, who has been remanded to judicial custody. It is learnt that Prashant is also married but has been estranged from his wife.