Rape allegations took a toll on me, I thank everyone who believed in me: Krishnudu

Actor Krishnudu issued a fresh statement on Monday evening, denying allegatuons of rape made against him by a 25-year-old woman. Earlier this week, the woman had registered a case with the Punjagutta police station, accusing 139 people of rape. The list of people included actors Pradeep Machiraju and Krishnudu, along with other prominent lawyers, businessmen and politicians.
In a video message on Monday, Krishnudu said, "I was extremely disappointed when I heard about this case for the first time. I have led a non-controversial life till date and my name getting dragged in this came as a huge shock to me. It is sad how a few sections of the media, especially YouTube channels, have targeted Pradeep and I without verifying the truth. The woman has taken back these allegations today and it is unfortunate that there were people who instigated her to file these false cases."
The Vinayakudu actor revealed that the controversy took an emotional toll on him and his family. "My mother and brother were depressed after hearing such rumours about me. I request my media friends to behave responsibly when such things take place because it can deeply affect our families," Krishnudu added.
Krishnudu's statement comes after the complainant who made the rape allegations, took back the charges in a press meet on Monday. “I was threatened by a gangster called Dollar Bhai to file this case using my Dalit identity. He physically and mentally tortured me and forced me to make these allegations against Pradeep and Krishnudu. When I refused, he threatened to kill my entire family. He even showed me pictures of dead bodies in his laptop and told he had murdered all the people. That scared me a lot and I had to file a police case. I apologise to all of the people that I have falsely named in my FIR and I am taking back the case that I filed," the woman said.