Mangaluru Youth Congress leader arrested for ₹2.77 crore extortion
Synopsis
A Mangaluru Youth Congress General Secretary and his associate allegedly extorted ₹2.77 crore from a businessman over two years — using obscene photographs and a fabricated suicide story to keep the victim paying. The scheme collapsed only when the businessman spotted the supposedly dead associate alive on the streets of Mangaluru.
Key Takeaways
Mangaluru police arrested Nizam , allegedly the General Secretary of Mangaluru Youth Congress , and associate Jitesh on 9 June 2026 .
The duo allegedly extorted ₹2.77 crore from a businessman between 2024 and 2026 using private obscene content as blackmail.
The accused allegedly fabricated a suicide narrative in May 2024 , circulating fake death and funeral photographs to pressure the victim into continued payments.
The case came to light after the businessman spotted Jitesh — whom he believed to be dead — alive in Mangaluru in June 2026 .
Photographs of Nizam with prominent Karnataka political leaders have surfaced on social media, sparking political discussion.
Police are investigating whether additional individuals were part of the extortion network.
Mangaluru police on Tuesday, 9 June 2026, arrested a Youth Congress office-bearer and his associate for allegedly blackmailing a prominent businessman and extorting ₹2.77 crore over nearly two years through a scheme involving obscene photographs and a fabricated suicide narrative.
Who Was Arrested
The two accused have been identified as Nizam, reportedly the General Secretary of the Mangaluru Youth Congress, and his associate Jitesh. Police allege the duo systematically targeted the businessman using private, compromising photographs and videos as leverage.
How the Extortion Unfolded
According to investigators, Jitesh first made contact with the victim in 2024 and allegedly used private obscene content to threaten exposure to the businessman's wife. An initial demand of ₹35 lakh was made, which the victim paid by cheque, fearing reputational damage.
When the businessman subsequently approached Nizam for help, police allege that Nizam did not assist him — instead allegedly joining the extortion network. The demands reportedly continued and escalated over the following months.
The Fake Suicide Scheme
In what investigators describe as a particularly calculated move, the accused allegedly fabricated a suicide narrative in May 2024. Nizam allegedly told the victim that Jitesh had died by suicide and that a note naming the businessman had been recovered. To lend credibility to the claim, the accused reportedly circulated photographs purportedly depicting Jitesh's death and funeral rites, while threatening to implicate the victim in a criminal case.
Fearing both legal jeopardy and social humiliation, the businessman allegedly continued making payments. The total amount extorted is stated by police to have reached ₹2.77 crore between 2024 and 2026.
How the Case Came to Light
The scheme unravelled in June 2026 when the businessman allegedly spotted Jitesh alive in Mangaluru. Stunned that the person he had believed dead was very much alive, he approached the Urva Police Station and filed a formal complaint.
Based on the complaint, police arrested both accused and launched an investigation to determine the full scale of the alleged extortion racket and whether additional individuals were involved.
Political Fallout
Following Nizam's arrest, photographs of him with several political leaders from Mangaluru and across Karnataka have circulated on social media, triggering political debate. The Youth Congress has not issued a public statement as of the time of reporting. The investigation is ongoing.
Point of View
And that photographs of him with senior Karnataka leaders are now circulating, raises questions about vetting within party structures. The fabricated suicide angle points to a level of premeditation that goes beyond opportunistic blackmail. The Congress's silence so far is itself a data point. Whether the party moves swiftly to distance itself — or waits to see how the investigation develops — will signal how seriously it takes internal accountability ahead of an election cycle.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Mangaluru Youth Congress extortion case?
Police arrested Nizam , reportedly the General Secretary of the Mangaluru Youth Congress, and his associate Jitesh on 9 June 2026. Both are accused of blackmailing a businessman using private obscene photographs and a fabricated suicide story.
How much money was allegedly extorted from the businessman?
According to police, the total amount extorted reached ₹2.77 crore , paid by the victim over a period spanning 2024 to 2026. The first payment of ₹35 lakh was made by cheque after an initial threat to expose private content.
What was the fake suicide scheme in this case?
In May 2024, the accused allegedly told the businessman that Jitesh had died by suicide and that a note naming the victim had been found. They reportedly circulated fabricated photographs of a death and funeral to make the claim appear credible, using the threat of criminal implication to extract further payments.
How did the extortion case come to light?
The case was exposed in June 2026 when the businessman allegedly saw Jitesh — whom he had believed to be dead — alive in Mangaluru. He then filed a complaint at the Urva Police Station, leading to both arrests.
What is the political angle in the Mangaluru extortion case?
Following Nizam's arrest, photographs of him with multiple political leaders from Mangaluru and across Karnataka surfaced on social media, sparking political discussion. The Youth Congress had not issued a formal statement as of the time of reporting.
