Mangalore : Photo journalist Dayanadna Kukkaje was arrested on August 14, Wednesday night by the Pandeshwar cops on the basis of a complaint of raping and blackmailing a college student after befriending her.

It is learnt, he had  a Facebook friend with whom he became close and then used to meet her frequently. The complainant said Kukkaje used to call her and invite her for coffee and even promised to marry her. When the girl said they may face opposition as she belonged to another community, he said they can settle in Dubai where he had contacts.

 The complainant also stated that he took her to his apartment at Kanachur Garden near Valencia where he reportedly raped her and also later threatened her to make public her nude photos.

The victim then lodged a complaint and the accused arrested on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, the web portal for which Dayananda Kukkaje works has alleged that this might be a revenge motive.

Daya had told reporters at the station that he had been threatened by some fellow photographs who were jealous over his success and claimed that he was innocent.