In a fresh twist to the alleged gang-rape case linked to a villa party in Bengaluru, police records suggested that one of the accused had filed a prior complaint claiming he was targeted in an extortion attempt by the woman, a 19-year-old college student, and her accomplice posing as a journalist.
Police said the accused submitted an FIR on February 21, alleging that the woman, along with a man identifying himself as Imran from a regional news outlet, demanded money and threatened to air defamatory content if he refused to pay.
According to officials, the extortion complaint was lodged a day before the woman approached authorities accusing Dixon Sando and Nikhil of sexual assault. Officers are now probing both versions to establish the sequence of events.
In his statement, the complainant said he has lived at his current address for nearly two decades and runs a second-hand car business in Rajajinagar area. He also claimed to operate a leased villa in Jakkur that is rented out for small events and parties.
He told police that his friend Dixon had booked the villa from February 14 to 16 for a Valentine's Day gathering. The complainant said he reached the party around 2 am on February 14, where he met the woman.
According to his version, the woman shared personal problems during the party and behaved in an overly familiar manner, which he said he discouraged. He further claimed that after the gathering ended around 4 am, she asked him for a drop. During the ride, she allegedly described herself as a "sugar baby" looking for a "sugar daddy" and asked him to connect her with potential contacts.
He said he dropped her near a bakery in Rajajinagar.
The complainant also alleged that on February 18 the woman posted on Instagram accusing him and one more of drugging and sexually assaulting her at the party. Soon after, he claimed he began receiving calls from two phone numbers, with the caller identifying himself as "Imran, Crime Branch Head of Raj News".
According to the complaint, the caller demanded that he meet them alone and pay money to the woman to 'settle' the matter, warning that a damaging television promo had already been prepared. The complainant has sought action against the woman, the caller, and others allegedly involved in blackmail.
In her complaint, the 19-year-old college student alleged she was gang-raped after being forced to consume an intoxicating substance at a private villa in a posh Bengaluru locality.
The first-year BA student, originally from Tamil Nadu, told police she had been living in Bengaluru for about five months for her studies. According to the FIR, she came in contact with Dixon Sando (21) through Instagram in January and remained in touch with him.
Police said that on the night of February 14, after college and dinner with a friend, she received a call from Dixon inviting her to a party at Rex Villa in north Bengaluru. She reached the venue in the early hours of February 15 along with a friend.
At the party, Dixon allegedly introduced her to Nikhil (35). The woman claimed the two men later forced her to consume a pink tablet, after which she felt dizzy and lost consciousness.
In her statement, she alleged she was sexually assaulted inside a room at the villa while incapacitated. She told police she briefly regained awareness during the incident and later found herself confined.
The woman further alleged that the accused threatened to kill her if she reported the matter. Officials said she was later dropped near a mall.
Police said the woman did not immediately approach authorities due to fear but sought medical treatment at a Bengaluru hospital on February 17. After informing her brother, she filed a complaint.
Based on her statement, the police registered an FIR against Dixon Sando and Nikhil under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to sexual assault and criminal intimidation.
Police said both the sexual assault allegations and the counter-complaint of extortion are under investigation.
