Davanagere: A gym trainer in Davanagere has been booked on charges of rape, criminal intimidation and blackmail after a woman alleged that he secretly recorded her in a changing room, used the visuals to threaten her and repeatedly sexually assaulted her over several months. Police have registered a case at the Davanagere Women’s Police Station and launched an investigation into the allegations.
According to the complaint, the accused has been identified as Ismail, owner and trainer at Power Fitness Club located in Saraswathi Nagar. The woman alleged that she had been attending the gym for nearly one-and-a-half years and regularly used the changing room provided for women before and after workouts.
In her complaint, the woman claimed that the accused had secretly captured her private photographs and videos inside the changing room without her knowledge. She alleged that over the last three to four months, the trainer repeatedly summoned her and showed the recordings on his mobile phone, threatening to circulate them on social media unless she complied with his demands.
The complainant further alleged that fearing humiliation and the impact on her family life, she remained silent despite suffering severe mental distress. She stated that on March 28, 2026, the accused allegedly called her and threatened to visit her residence and show the images to her husband if she did not come to the gym that night.
According to the FIR, the woman alleged that she went to the gym around 11 pm after being threatened, where the accused forcibly raped her. She further alleged that he warned her not to disclose the incident to anyone and threatened to kill her and her family if she approached the police or revealed the matter.
The complainant has also alleged that the accused continued to exploit her vulnerability and repeatedly subjected her to sexual assault by using the alleged photographs and videos as a means of blackmail. She stated that she was unable to approach the authorities earlier because of fear for her safety, concern for her family’s reputation and repeated threats allegedly issued by the accused.
Based on the woman’s complaint, Davanagere Women’s Police have registered an FIR against the gym trainer under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to rape, criminal intimidation, extortion and other applicable offences. Police said the allegations are under investigation, and further legal action will be taken based on the evidence collected during the probe.
Meanwhile, the case triggered protests by members of Sri Rama Sene and Hindu Jagarana Vedike outside the fitness centre in Saraswathi Nagar. Led by district president Mani Sarkar, the protesters removed the gym’s name board and demanded the immediate arrest of the accused. They also called for the gym to be shut down pending investigation.
Addressing reporters, Mani Sarkar made several allegations against the gym trainer and claimed that more women could have been targeted. He further alleged that another woman had recently attempted suicide following similar incidents. However, these claims have not been independently verified by the police, and no official confirmation has been issued regarding additional victims.
The protesters urged the police to conduct a thorough investigation and identify whether any hidden cameras had been installed inside the gym premises. They also demanded that fitness centres employing male trainers should ensure the presence of female trainers to improve the safety of women members.
Police have appealed to anyone with relevant information or evidence related to the case to come forward and assist the investigation. Officials said they would examine electronic devices, CCTV footage and other digital evidence as part of the probe.
