Kannada TV actress allegedly kidnapped by estranged husband over child custody row

A Kannada serial actress was allegedly kidnapped by her estranged husband in Bengaluru in an apparent attempt to force her family to hand over custody of their one-year-old daughter. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation following a complaint filed by the actress’s sister.

According to the complaint lodged by Leela R, her sister, actress Chaitra R, had been living separately from her husband, Harshavardhan, for the past seven to eight months due to marital discord. While Chaitra had moved to a rented house on Magadi Road in Bengaluru with their infant daughter, Harshavardhan was staying in Hassan. The couple had married in 2023.

Despite the separation, Chaitra continued to work in television serials. On December 7, she informed her family that she was travelling to Mysuru for a shooting assignment. However, police suspect that the trip was part of a pre-planned abduction allegedly orchestrated by her estranged husband.

As per the complaint, Harshavardhan allegedly paid an advance of ₹20,000 to an associate, Kaushik, and, with the help of another individual, lured Chaitra to the Mysuru Road Metro Station around 8 am. She was allegedly forced into a car and taken via NICE Road and the Bidadi route.

At around 10.30 am, Chaitra reportedly managed to contact her friend Girish and inform him that she had been abducted. Girish immediately alerted her family members.

Later in the evening, Harshavardhan allegedly called Chaitra’s mother, Siddamma, admitting to the kidnapping and issuing an ultimatum. He reportedly demanded that the family bring the child to a location he would specify, warning that Chaitra would not be released otherwise. He later contacted another relative, asking them to bring the child to Arsikere and assuring them that Chaitra would be released safely.

Alarmed by the calls, family members from Tiptur and Bengaluru regrouped and approached the police. Based on the complaint filed by Chaitra’s sister, a case has been registered and a search operation launched.

Harshavardhan, named as the prime accused, is reportedly the owner of Vardhan Enterprises and a film producer. Police officials said further investigation is underway to trace the accused, locate the actress, and verify the involvement of others in the alleged abduction.