<p>Belagavi: In a shocking case of communal targeting, three men have been arrested for allegedly conspiring to poison the drinking water tank of a government primary school in Hulikatti village of Savadatti taluk, with the intent of getting the Muslim headmaster transferred. The incident occurred on July 14 and left 11 students ill.</p><p>Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, Superintendent of Police Bheemashankar S Guled said that the accused had mixed pesticides into the water tank used by the school’s 41 students. Fortunately, most students sensed a foul smell and avoided drinking the water. </p><p>Those who consumed it complained of nausea and were treated immediately, recovering later.</p><p>Headmaster Suleman Gorenayak, who has been serving at the school for the past 13 years, filed a police complaint. Investigation revealed that the conspiracy was led by one Sagar Patil, a local dhaba owner allegedly associated with a right-wing organisation, who aimed to remove the headmaster on communal grounds.</p><p><strong>How the conspiracy unfolded</strong></p><p>Police discovered a discarded soft drink bottle near the tank. Forensic analysis confirmed that the pesticide residue in the bottle matched that found in the water samples.</p><p>Detailed questioning and scientific investigation led officers to a minor boy who admitted to pouring the contents of the bottle into the water tank. The boy confessed that Krishna Madar, a resident of the village, had given him chocolates, condiments, and Rs 500 to carry out the act.</p><p>During interrogation, Madar revealed that Sagar Patil was the mastermind. Sagar, along with co-accused Nagangouda Patil, his relative, had purchased pesticides on July 8 from a shop in Munavalli. On July 14, Sagar gave the pesticide-laced soft drink bottle to Madar, who then used the minor to contaminate the tank. Police said Sagar blackmailed Madar into participating in the crime by threatening to expose his relationship with a girl from another caste.</p><p>All three men, Sagar Patil, Krishna Madar, and Nagangouda Patil, have been arrested. The minor has been treated as a prosecution witness. “We used scientific evidence and careful interaction with students to crack the case. It was a planned and disturbing attempt driven by communal motives,” SP Guled said.</p><p>Savadatti police continue to investigate further angles, including possible ideological motivations and involvement of other individuals.</p>
<p>Belagavi: In a shocking case of communal targeting, three men have been arrested for allegedly conspiring to poison the drinking water tank of a government primary school in Hulikatti village of Savadatti taluk, with the intent of getting the Muslim headmaster transferred. The incident occurred on July 14 and left 11 students ill.</p><p>Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, Superintendent of Police Bheemashankar S Guled said that the accused had mixed pesticides into the water tank used by the school’s 41 students. Fortunately, most students sensed a foul smell and avoided drinking the water. </p><p>Those who consumed it complained of nausea and were treated immediately, recovering later.</p><p>Headmaster Suleman Gorenayak, who has been serving at the school for the past 13 years, filed a police complaint. Investigation revealed that the conspiracy was led by one Sagar Patil, a local dhaba owner allegedly associated with a right-wing organisation, who aimed to remove the headmaster on communal grounds.</p><p><strong>How the conspiracy unfolded</strong></p><p>Police discovered a discarded soft drink bottle near the tank. Forensic analysis confirmed that the pesticide residue in the bottle matched that found in the water samples.</p><p>Detailed questioning and scientific investigation led officers to a minor boy who admitted to pouring the contents of the bottle into the water tank. The boy confessed that Krishna Madar, a resident of the village, had given him chocolates, condiments, and Rs 500 to carry out the act.</p><p>During interrogation, Madar revealed that Sagar Patil was the mastermind. Sagar, along with co-accused Nagangouda Patil, his relative, had purchased pesticides on July 8 from a shop in Munavalli. On July 14, Sagar gave the pesticide-laced soft drink bottle to Madar, who then used the minor to contaminate the tank. Police said Sagar blackmailed Madar into participating in the crime by threatening to expose his relationship with a girl from another caste.</p><p>All three men, Sagar Patil, Krishna Madar, and Nagangouda Patil, have been arrested. The minor has been treated as a prosecution witness. “We used scientific evidence and careful interaction with students to crack the case. It was a planned and disturbing attempt driven by communal motives,” SP Guled said.</p><p>Savadatti police continue to investigate further angles, including possible ideological motivations and involvement of other individuals.</p>
