Bangalore, May 16

Kannada actress Haripriya has denied reports that Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sleuths raided her residence calling them "wild imagination of media". She also said that she is not romantically involved with B.S. Vijayendra, son of former Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa.

"I am surprised how such baseless news was scrolled on news channels. There was no CBI raid at my house. I am surprised about the pattern of false news being telecast on many platforms just at the time when my film is ready to release," Haripriya told IANS.

"The channels had scrolled that CBI raided my Sadashivnagar residence, but actually I stay in Yashwantpur," she added.

The CBI raided residences of former Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and his kin here and in Shimoga early Wednesday for their alleged role in the multi-crore-rupee mining scam in the state.

The pre-dawn raids in Bangalore and Shimoga, about 270 km from here, began after CBI late Tuesday registered a case against Yeddyurappa, his two sons B.S. Vijayendra and B.S. Raghavendra, son-in-law Sohan Kumar and mining baron Praveen Chandra under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 and various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

A television channel beamed that CBI also raided Haripriya's house hinting that the raid took place at her place because of her closeness to Vijayendra. But the actress hints at some conspiracy to sabotage her forthcoming film "Kiladi Kitty", releasing May 18.

"It had happened earlier also when my previous films 'Manasugala Maatu Madhura' and 'Kallara Santhe' were released. Now, when my 'Kiladi Kitty' is hitting the screens, this incorrect news has been spread about me," she said.

Haripriya also denied any connection with Vijayendra and said: "I did not know Yeddyurappa had two sons till some years ago. Some baseless news items appeared in tabloids alleging a romantic link between me and Vijayendra. I have never met him and I am surprised how the imagination of some media persons go wild in such matters.

"I have denied it at earlier occasions also and I am sorry to say that I have to again repeat what I have said earlier. This publication intends to spoil my reputation, but I am not scared," she said.

"I know very well that some people feel threatened because I am doing very well in films in all the four southern languages and my career is shaping up very well in the Kannada film industry. I will reveal names of some of the film industry people who are hell bent on spoiling my reputation," added the actress.