Bengaluru, May 23: The Karnataka Police have arrested the accused actor in connection with the alleged sexual exploitation and blackmail of a female artist in Bengaluru on Friday.

The accused is identified as Madenuru Manu, a resident of Nagarabhavi in Bengaluru.

The Annapurneshwari Nagar Police have arrested Manu and will produce him before the court.

The police have taken the accused for the medical test.

During the preliminary investigation, Manu admitted that he knew the victim. However, he denied all charges against him, claiming that it was a conspiracy.

The Karnataka Police have lodged an FIR in connection with the alleged sexual exploitation and blackmail of a female artist over a private video after the 33-year-old victim filed the complaint.

The accused is said to have been selected as the lead actor in an upcoming Kannada movie, and police are currently investigating the matter.

The FIR has been registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 64(2) (rape), Section 69 (sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means), Section 89 (causing miscarriage without the woman’s consent), Section 318(4) (cheating), Section 351(2) (criminal intimidation), and Section 352 (intentional insult).

According to the complainant, she met the accused during the shoot of the Kannada television programme ‘Comedy Kiladi’ in 2018, after which they became friends. She stated that the accused had arranged a rented house in Nagarabhavi.

On November 29, 2022, the victim accompanied the accused and other comedy artists to a programme in Shikaripura, Shivamogga district.

After the performance, while she was in a hotel room in Shikaripura, the accused allegedly entered the room under the pretext of paying her remuneration and sexually assaulted her, the FIR said.

Later, on December 3, 2022, the accused reportedly came to her residence and forcefully tied a mangalsutra around her neck against her will. Following this, he allegedly continued to sexually assault her at the same residence.

The victim stated that she became pregnant during this period. Upon learning of the pregnancy, the accused allegedly gave her pills to induce an abortion. She became pregnant again later, and he once again forced her to undergo an abortion, according to the FIR.

The accused then rented another house for the victim, where he continued to sexually assault her. He is also accused of recording her private videos on his phone, physically assaulting her, and threatening her not to reveal the incidents to anyone.

Claiming to be the lead actor in an upcoming film, the accused allegedly took several lakhs of rupees from the victim. She has stated that he pretended to marry her while subjecting her to repeated assaults, forced abortions, and threats to her life. When she confronted him, the accused reportedly assaulted and threatened her again.

The victim has also alleged that the accused, Manu, is a married man.

Gandhinagar, May 23: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will be in New Delhi on Saturday to attend the 10th meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog, the central policy think tank headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The meeting, to be chaired by the Prime Minister, will bring together Chief Ministers of all states, Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories, and several Union Ministers.

The Governing Council serves as NITI Aayog’s top decision-making body and focuses on key issues related to national development, cooperative federalism, and sectoral policies involving both central and state governments.

During the two-day visit, beginning Saturday, CM Patel will participate in a Chief Ministers’ conclave, being held in the wake of Operation Sindoor.

Sources indicate that following the meeting, Chief Minister Patel is likely to hold discussions regarding Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit to Gujarat on May 26 and 27, which is expected to include key public events and project inaugurations in the state.

During his visit, Prime Minister Modi is expected to arrive at the Naliya Airbase in Kutch, where he will interact with soldiers stationed at the forward base near the Indo-Pak border.

PM Modi is also likely to offer prayers at the revered Mata Ashapura temple before addressing a large public gathering in Bhuj.

As part of his focus on infrastructure and indigenous manufacturing, Prime Minister Modi is also expected to visit Dahod, where he will inaugurate a 9,000-horsepower engine manufactured at the Indian Railways’ diesel locomotive plant.

Additionally, the Prime Minister is set to launch several development projects across Gujarat via video conferencing during the two-day tour.

Jaipur, May 23: Rajasthan continues to grapple with an intense heatwave, with large parts of the desert state experiencing scorching temperatures. However, scattered thunderstorms in a few areas have provided some relief from the relentless summer heat.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heatwave conditions are expected to persist in 16 districts on Friday, with no immediate relief in sight. A red alert has been issued for Jaisalmer, Sri Ganganagar, and Bikaner, while thundershowers are forecast in 19 districts, including Jaipur and Kota.

On Thursday, Sri Ganganagar recorded the highest maximum temperature at 47.3 degrees Celsius, which is 4.8 degrees above normal. Jodhpur recorded the highest minimum temperature at 31.7 degrees. Seven cities in Rajasthan witnessed temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius, with Ganganagar experiencing the highest temperatures for the second consecutive day, surpassing 47 degrees Celsius again.

In contrast, temperatures fell slightly in some regions. In Jaipur, the maximum temperature dropped by 2 degrees Celsius to 42.8 degrees Celsius. In Alwar, the temperature fell by 5 degrees to 40 degrees, in Chittorgarh 42.4 degrees, in Udaipur 38.3 degrees, while Bhilwara recorded 41.5 degrees Celsius.

Thursday afternoon thunderstorms brought a shift in weather across Jhalawar, Baran, Bundi, Kota, Chittorgarh, and Bhilwara. Strong winds and rain offered some relief from the scorching heat.

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall in the Sadas area of Chittorgarh led to the collapse of a house wall. The tragic incident resulted in the death of Shaari alias Shanti (50), wife of Magana Bhil, and Suraj (7), son of Suresh Bhil. Raju alias Ratan (12), son of Kailash Bhil, was also seriously injured. All victims were rushed to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Bhilwara, where doctors declared Shaari and Suraj dead.

The weather changed around 5.30 p.m. in Bhilwara with a sudden storm followed by rain. The downpour brought much-needed relief from the intense heat and humidity. However, strong winds also caused trees to fall in several areas, and rain continued in parts of the district into the evening. Shahpura in Bhilwara registered the highest rainfall of 33 mm in the last 24 hours, said officials.