A controversy that initially appeared to be a simple blackmail allegation has now turned into a complicated dispute involving accusations of deception, harassment and hidden relationships.
The alleged ₹1.5 crore blackmail case involving a Kannada social media influencer and a Hyderabad-based businessman has taken a dramatic turn after the businessman’s own wife stepped forward with a completely different version of events.
Harshita, the wife of Karthik—who is associated with HK Pharma Cosmetics Private Limited—has submitted a detailed complaint to authorities claiming that the influencer never demanded money from her husband. Instead, she alleges that Karthik fabricated the entire blackmail story in order to hide his alleged relationship with the woman and protect himself from possible legal consequences.
In her statement, Harshita claimed that Karthik deliberately portrayed the influencer as someone trying to extort money. According to her, the narrative was created to shift attention away from his personal conduct and alleged involvement with multiple women.
Harshita said the situation deeply affected her emotionally after she reportedly came across messages and other information that suggested her husband had maintained close relationships with several women. She described experiencing severe mental distress after learning about the alleged interactions between Karthik and the influencer.
She also clarified that Karthik was not an independent businessman as he had often been portrayed publicly. According to her, his role was mainly limited to marketing activities connected to her cosmetic clinic and related business work.
The dispute reportedly began on August 8, 2025, when the Kannada influencer arrived at Karthik’s residence and accused him of sexually harassing her in front of family members. Harshita stated that the woman claimed Karthik had earlier arranged accommodation for her in Hyderabad and allegedly promised marriage in the name of love.
According to Harshita, when the allegations first surfaced within the family, Karthik convinced relatives that the woman was making false accusations because their family was financially well-off. He reportedly described her simply as a Kannada influencer trying to target them for money.
However, Harshita later discovered that Karthik had travelled with the influencer to multiple places, including Hyderabad, Bengaluru and even the Maldives. These revelations, she said, raised serious doubts about the version of events her husband had earlier presented to the family.
The complaint also includes allegations of a plan to seize the influencer’s digital devices. Harshita claimed that Karthik feared legal trouble if the woman approached police authorities. To avoid this, she alleged that he planned with two friends—Lokesh and Nagavarma—to take away the influencer’s mobile phones and tablet devices.
Soon after the alleged incident, the woman filed a complaint at Gachibowli Police Station on August 28 last year, expressing suspicion about the involvement of Lokesh and Nagavarma.
During the investigation, police questioned Karthik several times. Harshita further alleged that one of the influencer’s missing phones was later found inside her husband’s bedroom and was eventually returned to the police.
She also accused Karthik of changing the passwords of the influencer’s phone and accessing her Instagram account without permission during that period.
According to Harshita, the issue appeared to settle temporarily at that time. She said she initially believed that her husband had changed after the controversy.
But she later claimed that Karthik continued contacting the influencer repeatedly and allegedly harassed her through calls and messages.
Harshita stated that the influencer eventually reached out to her directly and shared details about the alleged harassment, threatening messages and other similar incidents involving different women.
After learning about these allegations, Harshita said she decided to live separately from her husband. She has reportedly been staying alone in Hyderabad for the past two months.
The case gained wider attention when Karthik approached Jayanagar Police Station with a complaint claiming that the influencer was demanding ₹1.5 crore and threatening to send private photos and videos to his wife.
As part of the investigation, the police sought information from Harshita regarding the claims made by her husband. In response, she submitted documents, statements and what she described as evidence outlining her husband’s alleged conduct.
She has also reportedly forwarded copies of her complaint to senior police officials in Karnataka and Telangana, as well as the National Commission for Women and High Court judges.
With both sides presenting sharply different versions of the story, the case has now become far more complicated than the initial blackmail allegation suggested.
Authorities are currently examining the complaints, digital evidence and statements provided by the individuals involved. Officials say the investigation is ongoing, and further developments are expected as more details emerge.