Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Aug 27: Union railway minister Sadananda Gowda's son Karthik Gowda got engaged to Swathi from Kushalnagar on Wednesday August 27. However, the joyous day turned sour after a Sandalwood actress claimed that Karthik was already married to her and filed a rape case in this regard too.

Even as the union minister's family was celebrating the engagement, Sandalwood actress Mythriya Gowda, earlier known as Shivani, filed a complaint of rape and cheating against Karthik, alleging that he had married her secretly.

Based on her complaint, the police registered a case against Karthik under sections 376 (punishment for rape), 420 (cheating) and 406 (criminal breach of trust) of the IPC.

Mythriya, who has acted in films like 'Surya The Great', 'Hrudaya I Miss You' and 'Maurya' starring Puneeth Rajkumar, alleged that Karthik had betrayed her by getting engaged to another woman.

In her statement, she said she had known Karthik since May this year and that his family members were aware of the relationship. She even said that she had spoken to Karthik's mother, and claimed that Karthik had secretly married her at his house in Mangalore and tied a mangalasutra on her. However, after July 25, he suddenly stopped talking to her, Mythriya said. The mother of the actress too said that she was aware of their relationship but had warned her daughter that Karthik might ditch her.

Hurling more accusations, Mythriya claimed that Karthik tied the knot with her as she refused his advance and did not want to have an intimate relationship without marriage. She even produced pictures of them getting cozy in each other's company.

Reacting to the allegations, Karthik denied his marriage to Mythriya and said he has had no relationship with her. He also said that the photographs she showed were morphed.

Sadananda Gowda, who was caught unaware, also denied the allegations and said there was nothing between his son and the actress. He further said that it may be a conspiracy to defame him and his family or a blackmail attempt. Expressing surprise and shock over the allegations, he said his life was an open book and that political forces may be behind the allegations.

 "I feel hurt. My life is an open book. I will not lie or cheat public...I am shocked...this (is) kind of blackmail," he said.