The arrested have been identified as Nagarathna H (42), a native of Mayyadi in Yadtare, Byndoor taluk, presently residing in Basaveshwaranagar, Bengaluru, and Hemanth (41), a native of Miyar in Karkala, currently residing near Majestic, Bengaluru.
The complainant, Pradeep K, an employee of Nirman Vividhodesha Souharda Sahakari Sangha in Udupi, was searching for a bride.
In January 2024, he came into contact with Nagarathna through the 'Kannada Jodi Matrimony' app. She introduced herself as a Kannada teacher at S Kadambi Vidya Kendra in Basaveshwaranagar, Bengaluru, and stated she was originally from Henberu, Badabettu in Byndoor taluk.
Nagarathna proposed marriage to Pradeep, but he declined, stating his intention to marry within his own caste.
Following this, Nagarathna began contacting him frequently through calls and messages, citing severe personal and financial difficulties. She managed to convince him to transfer money in instalments.
Funds were allegedly transferred to her bank account, as well as the accounts of her colleague Hemanth Karkera, her aunt's son Pramod, and her elder sister Renuka.
Between January 2024 and January 2026, Pradeep reportedly transferred a total of Rs 42,97,350 to the accused.
When Pradeep demanded his money back, Nagarathna resorted to severe blackmail. She threatened to file a false police complaint alleging an illicit relationship, visit his workplace in Udupi to humiliate him in front of colleagues and customers, and send him to jail. Furthermore, she threatened to write a suicide note accusing him of misappropriating his company's funds to cheat her, before immolating herself.
Based on Pradeep's complaint detailing the extortion and cheating, a case was registered at the Udupi city police station against Nagarathna, Hemanth Karkera, Pramod, and Renuka.
Under the guidance of Udupi city police inspector Mahesh Prasad, a special investigation team was formed comprising sub-inspectors Bharatesh Kankanawadi and Rathnakar K, along with personnel Prasanna C, Jeevan Kumar, Jagannath Naik, Hemanth Kumar, and Savitha.
On October 26, the police apprehended Nagarathna and Hemanth from Basaveshwaranagar and the Kempegowda Bus Station in Bengaluru. They were produced before the investigating officer and subsequently presented in court. The court has remanded the accused to judicial custody.