BELAGAVI, KARNATAKA – AUGUST 4 2025 -A trial court in Karnataka has remanded three men to judicial custody till August 11 in connection with the alleged poisoning of a school water tank in an apparent bid to oust its Muslim headmaster.
Senior Civil Judge Siddarama of the Savadatti Court, Belagavi district, passed the remand order against:
Sagar Patil, Taluk President of the Hindu right-wing group Sriram Sene
Krishna Madar
Naganagouda
BACKGROUND: JULY 14 INCIDENT IN HOOLIKATTI VILLAGE
The incident occurred on July 14, 2025, at the Government Kannada Primary School in Hoolikatti village, Savadatti Taluk, Belagavi District.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), eleven students were hospitalized after consuming contaminated water from the school’s drinking tank. The water was allegedly laced with pesticide.
ALLEGED MOTIVE: TARGETING MUSLIM HEADMASTER
The accused allegedly committed the act with malicious intent to target the school’s Muslim headmaster, Suleman Gorinaik Baraimama.
The FIR claims:
“The three accused intentionally poisoned the drinking water with pesticide… This was done with malicious intent, to target the school’s headmaster, Suleman Gorinaik Baraimama, because of his religion.”
FORCED INVOLVEMENT AND COERCION ALLEGED
One of the accused, Krishna Madar, was allegedly coerced into helping with the crime. He was reportedly in a relationship with a woman from another caste, and Sagar Patil had threatened to expose the relationship unless Madar complied.
USE OF A STUDENT AS AN ACCOMPLICE
The complaint also reveals that a student from the school was lured with snacks and money and coerced into assisting the accused in contaminating the tank.
PROCUREMENT AND EXECUTION OF THE CRIME
The pesticide used to poison the tank was allegedly procured from Munavvalli by Naganagouda and Krishna Madar, and later mixed into the school’s designated drinking water supply.
SYMPTOMS AND MEDICAL RESPONSE
After drinking the tainted water, several children reportedly experienced symptoms of poisoning, including vomiting and dizziness, which led to urgent hospitalization and medical treatment.
LEGAL PROVISIONS INVOKED
The FIR filed at the Soundatti Police Station invokes the following provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023:
Section 125(a) – Act endangering life or personal safety
Section 110 – Attempt to commit culpable homicide
