Police in Karnataka arrested three individuals, including local leaders of the Sri Ram Sena, for allegedly mixing poison into the drinking water tank of government schools in two separate incidents reported in Hullikatti village, Belagavi district and Kachapur village, Gadag district.
In the Belagavi incident, the arrests were made in connection with an attempt to defame a Muslim headmaster by contaminating the school’s water supply on July 14, 2025. According to the police, 11 students fell ill and were hospitalized on July 20 after consuming water laced with pesticide. All the children recovered and were discharged.
The accused in this case were identified as Sagar Patil, Savadatti taluk president of the Sri Ram Sena; Krishna Madar; and Magangouda Patil. They allegedly paid a student ₹500 and snacks to pour pesticide into the water tank using a soft drink bottle. Police traced the bottle to a shop in Munavalli, which led to the arrests on August 1. Superintendent of Police Bhimashankar Guled confirmed the accused had confessed to attempting to frame the headmaster and have him transferred. They now face charges under Section 123 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for causing hurt by poison and are currently in judicial custody.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah condemned the act, warning that communal hatred could have led to the loss of children's lives. He announced the formation of a task force to address hate speech and urged the public to resist divisive elements.
In a separate case reported on July 27 in Kachapur village of Naragund taluk, Gadag district, another water poisoning attempt was foiled. The school’s headmaster noticed a strong odour coming from the drinking water tank the next morning and informed authorities. No students fell ill due to the early detection.
Police arrested Basavaraj Naik, a taluk-level Sri Ram Sena leader, along with associates Basavaraj Kalasannavar and Lingaraj Somanagouda. All are local residents and are being investigated under IPC Sections 328 (causing hurt by poison) and 120B (criminal conspiracy). Forensic teams collected samples from the tank, which were sent for chemical analysis.
This is separate from the Belagavi district, Hullikatti village case, where the poisoning was intended to frame a Muslim headmaster and students fell ill.
Religious fundamentalism and communal hatred can lead to heinous acts, which could have resulted in the massacre of innocent children.Chief Minister Siddaramaiah
A third incident was reported in Hoovinakone village, Shivamogga district, on August 1, where kitchen staff detected a foul smell in the school’s water tank before it could be consumed. The police are investigating the case, and the Chief Minister has ordered a full probe.
All three cases have raised concerns over school safety and communal targeting. Investigations continue in all districts, with law enforcement agencies pursuing further leads.
(Rh/Eth/MKB/MSM/SE)