Mysore/Mysuru: A 26-year-old woman pursuing her LLM at a private law college in the city has lodged a complaint alleging mental and physical harassment by her friend and his mother.

The complainant M.S. Nayana, has named Pradeep Soleman and his mother, Kalavathi, as the accused. In her complaint, Nayana has urged the Police to help recover four bank cheques, 80 grams of gold jewellery, Rs. 4 lakh in cash, a Bullet bike purchased in her name and a mobile phone, which she alleges were taken away by the duo.

According to the complaint, Nayana came to know Pradeep, then a third-year law student, through a friend. She later became acquainted with his mother Kalavathi, who runs a photocopy shop near Sathagalli Bus Depot.

Nayana has alleged that the two gradually gained her trust and told her that Pradeep’s father, Joseph, an advocate, would represent her in a temple-related case.

She claimed that Pradeep and Kalavathi collected Rs. 5 lakh from her father for the case. However, Joseph passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic and the two later began giving excuses regarding the matter.

Deepfake photo to harass

Nayana further alleged that a deepfake photo of her was created and used to threaten and harass her. She claimed that the accused also obtained her blank cheques and used them to purchase items such as an oven, a mobile phone and a Bullet bike, while forcing her to pay the monthly instalments.

She also stated that Pradeep had prepared a fake document claiming that she was earning a monthly salary of Rs. 55,000, besides falsely mentioning that she was married and belonged to the Christian faith.

When she questioned this, she was allegedly threatened by the accused. She also alleged that she was taken to a church where her ‘kumkum’ was removed.

Nayana stated that she initially did not inform her parents about the harassment as she feared it would shock them.

However, when bank recovery agents began visiting her house regarding loan repayments, she informed her parents about the ordeal.

According to the complaint, when her father approached Pradeep and Kalavathi, requesting them to return the blank cheques and money, the accused later came near her college and called her aside on the pretext of speaking with her. She alleged that they assaulted her and threatened to ruin her life.

Based on the complaint, Krishnaraja Police have registered a case and further investigation is underway.