Bengaluru Villa Party Case : In a fresh twist to the alleged gang-rape case linked to a private villa party in Bengaluru, police have confirmed that one of the accused had filed an extortion complaint a day before the sexual assault FIR was registered. The counter-complaint has added a new layer of complexity to an already sensitive case involving a 19-year-old college student and two men.
According to police records, the accused approached authorities on February 21, alleging that the woman and a man claiming to be a journalist attempted to extort money from him. He stated in his complaint that the caller identified himself as “Imran” from a regional news outlet and demanded money, threatening to broadcast defamatory content if payment was not made. Investigators noted that this FIR was filed just a day before the woman lodged her complaint accusing Dixon Sando and another man, Nikhil, of sexual assault.
Police officials said they are carefully examining the sequence of events to establish the timeline between the two complaints.
In his statement, the accused said he has lived at his current address in Rajajinagar for nearly two decades and runs a second-hand car business. He also claimed to operate a leased villa in Jakkur that is rented out for small gatherings and private events. He told investigators that Dixon had booked the property between February 14 and 16 for a Valentine’s Day party. The accused said he arrived at the villa around 2 am on February 14, where he met the woman during the gathering.
According to his version, the woman shared personal problems at the party and behaved in what he described as an overly familiar manner, which he said he discouraged. He further claimed that after the event ended around 4 am, she asked him for a drop. During the ride, he alleged, she described herself as a “sugar baby” and asked him to connect her with potential “sugar daddies.” Police have not independently verified these claims.
The accused also stated that on February 18, the woman posted on Instagram accusing him and another individual of drugging and sexually assaulting her at the party. Shortly after, he said he began receiving calls from two different numbers. The caller allegedly introduced himself as “Imran, Crime Branch Head of Raj News,” and demanded that he meet them alone and pay money to settle the matter. The complaint further claimed that the caller warned a damaging television promo had already been prepared. The accused has sought action against the woman and others allegedly involved in blackmail.
In her complaint, the 19-year-old first-year BA student alleged she was gang-raped after being forced to consume an intoxicating substance at a private villa in a posh locality of north Bengaluru. Originally from Tamil Nadu, she had been living in the city for about five months for her studies. According to her FIR, she came in contact with Dixon Sando through Instagram in January and remained in touch with him.
She told police that on the night of February 14, after college and dinner with a friend, she received a call from Dixon inviting her to a party at Rex Villa. She reached the venue in the early hours of February 15 along with a friend. At the gathering, she alleged, Dixon introduced her to Nikhil. Later in the night, she claimed, the two men forced her to consume a pink tablet, after which she felt dizzy and lost consciousness.
In her statement, she alleged that she was sexually assaulted inside a room at the villa while she was incapacitated. She told police she briefly regained awareness during the incident and later found herself confined. She further claimed that the accused threatened to kill her if she reported the matter. Officials said she was eventually dropped near a mall.
Police said the woman did not immediately approach authorities due to fear. However, she sought medical treatment at a Bengaluru hospital on February 17. After informing her brother, she filed a formal complaint. Based on her statement, police registered an FIR against Dixon Sando and Nikhil under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to sexual assault and criminal intimidation.
Officials have confirmed that both the sexual assault allegations and the extortion counter-complaint are under investigation. Investigators are examining call records, social media activity, medical reports, CCTV footage from the villa, and statements from party attendees to determine the truth.
Police have urged the public to avoid speculation as the probe continues. No conclusions have been drawn yet, and further updates are awaited.