A Bengaluru businessman has been arrested on charges of sexually assaulting and blackmailing a female customs employee, and investigators are now looking into whether the case is part of a broader pattern of exploitation, police said on Sunday.
According to the police, the accused, identified as M Kripalani, was taken into custody following a complaint lodged by the officer, who called the police after alleged prolonged harassment. The case was initially registered at Yelahanka police station and later transferred to Indiranagar police station, where Pulikshinagara district police conducted a detailed investigation.
According to investigators, the defendant and the officer had known each other for approximately nine years. Police said he gained her trust by presenting himself as being in a relationship, and later used that knowledge to threaten and exploit her, including by warning against making private photos and videos public.
Pulikshinagara police inspector P Govindaraju confirmed the arrest and said the investigation was based on the officer’s complaint. “Based on the complaint lodged by the female officer, we initiated a thorough investigation. The accused was detained and interrogated on multiple allegations, including blackmail and sexual assault. But he did not cooperate with the investigation and avoided questions, and was admitted to hospital suffering from chest pains. We produced him before the ACMM court on Saturday, which sent him to judicial custody for 14 days. Once again, we will take him to police custody for detailed investigation,” it said.
A case has been registered under Section 376 (rape) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The accused runs an electronics company and is also being examined for possible illegal activities linked to evading customs regulations, police said. “The accused misused the personal relationship to threaten and exploit the victim. He also allegedly used sensitive information to intimidate her and others,” the officer said.
Investigators are also looking into financial transactions linked to the accused. “We are also investigating his financial dealings. There are allegations that he used loopholes in the system and misused communications to file false complaints against some officials and extort money,” the inspector added.
Authorities said the accused had been involved in previous disputes. In one case, his mother filed a habeas corpus petition claiming that he was missing, but it was later found that he had deliberately stayed in a hotel, prompting the court to impose a fine of $2 lakh.
Police also noted there were previous allegations of misconduct involving responsibilities, raising the possibility of additional victims. “We urge anyone who may have been affected by the accused to come forward and file a complaint. We will ensure strict legal action is taken,” Inspector Govindaraju said.
The investigation is ongoing, as officials examine whether the case is linked to a broader web of alleged fraud and coercion.
