Arrested accused Sagar Patil, Krishna Madar, Nagangouda Patil
Belagavi: Three individuals have been arrested for allegedly mixing pesticide into the drinking water tank of a government primary school in Hulikatti village, Savadatti taluk, reportedly with the intention of defaming and transferring the school’s Muslim headmaster.
The arrested have been identified as Sagar Patil, Nagangouda Patil, and Krishna Madar.
Speaking to the media, Belagavi District Superintendent of Police Dr. Bheemashankar S Guled stated that Sagar Patil, who is allegedly associated with the Shri Rama organization, had orchestrated the act with the intent of tarnishing the image of Suleman Gorenayak, the headmaster who had served at the government school for 13 years, and to push for his transfer.
Investigation has revealed that all three accused were known to each other, Nagangouda is a relative of Sagar, and Krishna had previously worked with Sagar as driver. Krishna was in a relationship with a girl from another community, and Sagar allegedly blackmailed him by threatening to expose the relationship unless he helped execute the plot. The accused even used a student by luring him with incentives to carry out the act.
The incident took place on July 14, when pesticide was mixed into the school’s drinking water tank. After consuming the water following their mid-day meal, eleven students fell ill and showed symptoms of poisoning.
A case was registered, and the Savadatti police launched an investigation, leading to the arrests.
