A scandalous twist is emerging in the alleged Rs 1.5 crore blackmail case involving a Kannada social media influencer and an Andhra Pradesh businessman, after his own wife accused the businessman of fabricating the full story to hide his alleged extramarital relationships and misconduct.
The matter was initially registered by the businessman Karthik at the Jayanagar Police Station in India. HK Pharma Cosmetics Private Limited Director Harshitha allegedly issued several severe allegations against her husband. She accused Karthik of not being really an independent businessman, but rather running marketing activities related to her cosmetic clinic business.
The influencer had visited Karthik’s residence on August 8, 2025, and purportedly accused him in front of family members of sexually harassing her, her statement read. Harshitha later alleged that prior to this scenario, Karthik had provided accommodation to the influencer in Hyderabad for nearly two months and promised to marry this girl under the pretext of being in a relationship.
Harshitha said that when the influencer had first contacted the family by levelling accusations against Karthik, he had portrayed the young woman badly, and had even persuaded the family that she had been duped into falsely accusing him of money, since she thought the family was rich.
Yet, it was reported that the scene changed after an influencer provided documentation, messages and other information about her romance with Karthik. Harshitha reported being mentally shocked as she watched the material and said her husband had had the same effect on women. It also contends that Karthik, along with the influencer, had travelled to cities such as Hyderabad, Bengaluru and the Maldives during their relationship. In another shocking allegation, Harshitha alleged that Karthik feared the influencer would escalate the issue to the police and, therefore, collaborated with his associates to take away her electronic devices.
Two men named Lokesh and Nagavarma were said to have taken the influencer’s two smartphones and tablet devices, the statement said. The influencer then reported to the Gachibowli Police Station on August 28, 2025, alleging that they had suspicions about Lokesh and Nagavarma for stealing. Harshitha said the Hyderabad police interrogated Karthik multiple times during the inquiry.
She also said that one of the stolen mobile phones belonged to the influencer, was subsequently discovered inside Karthik’s bedroom and eventually returned to the police. At the time, Karthik changed the password of the influencer’s phone and hacked her Instagram account, she added.
The dispute was later reportedly resolved temporarily. Following the incident, Harshitha says that she thought her husband had changed. But now she alleges that after an earlier argument and the post had gone out, Karthik has contacted and threatened the influencer on multiple occasions, and he continued to repeat the warning and threatening behaviour.
The influencer later allegedly told Harshitha about how Karthik’s harassing and threatening messages continued and how he had similar relationships with other women. Upon learning more of the details, Harshitha allegedly began living separately from her husband in Hyderabad for the last two months.
A source reported that Karthik had approached the Jayanagar police a few days ago, saying the influencer was demanding Rs 1.5 crore and threatening to send his wife private photographs and videos. Now, however, Harshitha has vigorously contested those allegations and has filed supporting evidence against her husband.
Harshitha has reportedly posted copies of her statement and complaint with Karnataka and Telangana police officers, the National Commission for Women and even high court officials, aiming for a resolution. Now the case is getting more complicated, and investigators will be required to check digital records and communication exchanges and evidence from all persons involved, among others, to ascertain the credibility of the allegations and counter-allegations.
