Kannada TV actor Madenur Manu has been arrested by the police in Bengaluru on charges of sexual harassment and blackmailing a 33-year-old woman. The victim has alleged that Manu, who is a resident of Bengaluru, had been exploiting her since 2018 when they met on the sets of a Kannada TV show.
The victim claimed that Manu had taken her to a hotel room in Shivamogga district’s Shikaripura, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her after a program they had both attended in November 2022. The police have registered a case against Manu under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including rape, cheating, assault, and intimidation.
Madenur Manu has denied all allegations, calling them a conspiracy. He was taken for medical examination after his arrest and initially admitted to knowing the victim but refused to accept any wrongdoing.
However, the victim alleged that Manu had not only sexually assaulted her but also forced her to have an abortion twice, giving her medication to terminate the pregnancies. The victim also accused Manu of demanding money from her, totaling lakhs of rupees, by promising to marry her.
The case has sent shockwaves through the Kannada entertainment industry, as Manu was set to star in an upcoming Kannada film. The police are taking the matter seriously and will present Manu in court soon.