Kannada TV Actress Alleges Kidnapping: Husband Accused in Child Custody Dispute

Published: December 16, 2025 | Read Time: 3 minutes

A serious controversy has emerged from Bengaluru after a Kannada television actress accused her husband of kidnapping her amid an ongoing child custody dispute. The case has drawn widespread attention, highlighting the personal and legal conflicts that can arise during marital separation.

According to the complaint, Kannada TV actress Chaitra R has alleged that her husband, Harshavardhan, orchestrated her abduction in an attempt to gain custody of their minor child. The incident reportedly took place in Bengaluru, following months of marital discord and separation between the couple.

Alleged Kidnapping Linked to Custody Battle

As per details shared with the police, the alleged kidnapping was carefully planned. Chaitra R’s family claims that Harshavardhan hired two individuals to carry out the act. One of them, identified as Kaushik, was allegedly paid an advance of ₹20,000 to assist in the operation.

The complaint states that Chaitra was taken to the Mysuru Road Metro Station at around 8:00 AM under the pretext of travel. From there, she was allegedly forced into a vehicle and driven along NICE Road and the Bidadi route, against her will.

Family members allege that the act was carried out solely to pressure Chaitra into handing over custody of their young child.

Family Alerted, Police Begin Investigation

The situation came to light after Chaitra managed to contact a friend around 10:30 AM, informing him that she was being held against her will. The friend immediately alerted her relatives, who then contacted law enforcement authorities.

Later that same day, Harshavardhan allegedly contacted Chaitra’s mother, Siddamma, and reportedly admitted to the kidnapping over the phone. According to the complaint, he demanded that the child be brought to a specific location in exchange for Chaitra’s safe release.

He is also said to have contacted another family member, requesting that the child be brought to Arsikere, while assuring that Chaitra would be released unharmed once his demand was met.

Following these developments, relatives from various locations, including Tumakuru and Bengaluru, came together and formally approached the police.

Background of the Marital Dispute

In her statement to the police, Chaitra’s sister Leela R explained that Chaitra and Harshavardhan got married in 2023. However, frequent domestic disputes led to the couple living separately for the past seven to eight months.

During this period, Chaitra had been staying with her child in a rented house on Magadi Road, while Harshavardhan was reportedly residing in Hassan. Despite the personal turmoil, Chaitra continued her work in Kannada television serials.

On December 7, Chaitra reportedly informed her relatives that she was traveling to Mysuru for a shooting assignment. Investigators believe this information may have been used as part of the alleged plan.

Police Action and Current Status

Based on the complaint filed by Chaitra’s family, the police have registered a case and initiated a detailed investigation. Authorities are currently verifying call records, financial transactions, and the sequence of events to establish the authenticity of the allegations.

Police officials have confirmed that statements from all involved parties are being recorded, and further legal action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.

A Case Raising Serious Questions

The incident has raised serious concerns about personal safety, misuse of force in family disputes, and the emotional toll of custody battles. Legal experts note that child custody matters must be resolved through lawful judicial processes and not through coercion or intimidation.

As the investigation continues, the case has sparked public discussion on the importance of legal safeguards for individuals involved in marital and custody conflicts.

Disclaimer: This report is based on allegations mentioned in the police complaint. The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. The investigation is ongoing.