Mangaluru: Former Subrahmanya Gram Panchayat member Prashanth Bhat Manila (35) has been arrested by the Karwar police on charges of blackmailing a married woman from Sirsi with compromising photographs.

Bhat, who hails from Arlapadavu in Puttur, came into contact with the 28-year-old complainant through a social media platform, where she used to share her musical performances. He promised her an opportunity to sing in an orchestra. Subsequently, Bhat visited Sirsi and took the woman to a lodge. The pictures taken during this encounter were allegedly used by Bhat to manipulate and threaten the woman. He reportedly demanded Rs 7 lakhs in exchange for not revealing these photos, of which the woman had given him Rs 25,000. However, Bhat later shared the photos with the woman's family, including her mother and husband. In response, the woman filed a complaint against Prashanth, accusing him of sexual assault.

The accused has been placed in judicial custody. It is worth noting that Prashanth Bhat Manila is a married man who is currently separated from his wife.