FILE photo: Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda's son, Karthik who has been accused of cheating, rape (PTI photo)
Union Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda's son Karthik has been accused of rape, kidnapping and cheating by a young actress who claims to be his wife.
The woman filed an FIR or police complaint hours after Karthik got engaged on Wednesday in Bangalore.
She claims Karthik took her to Mangalore and married her there on June 5. "He tied the
thali or
mangalsutra on my neck. After that he told me I am his wife and I should listen to what he says. We became physically close after that. He did not even tell me he was getting engaged. He is my husband. He has to admit that he married me," she told the media today.
She added that she didn't go public before as she believed Karthik would come around and acknowledge the marriage.
Karthik Gowda has denied her allegations and alleged a conspiracy to discredit his father and ruin his political career. "If you drag the son, the father will be shamed. That's all. It is all false," he said today.
The union minister, who is in Kerala, said, "Take action against my son if he has done anything wrong. I would say the allegations against him as false. He is my son, but if the allegations are true then action can be taken."
In Congress-ruled Karnataka, the woman's allegations have been seized by Mr Gowda's rivals. Congress workers held a protest demanding Karthik's arrest.
State Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, "I cannot comment, won't comment. Law will take its own course."
The state Women's Commission has said it will take up the case and support the woman. "There is no political pressure. This is an independent body and we work for women. We will neutrally approach the case," said the Commission's chief Manjula Manasa.