Principal arrested for alleged sexual harassment of students in Vijayapura

Vijayapura: District police have arrested a college principal on charges of sexually harassing two female students confirmed the District Superintendent of Police Laxman Nimbargi said.

The accused has been identified as Sachin Kumar Patil, the principal of the Government First Grade College, Managuli, in Basavanabagewadi taluk.

The incident, reported to have occurred in July 2023, came to light when the students filed a complaint at Managuli police station on January 2, 2025. According to the complaint, the accused principal allegedly touched the students inappropriately and hugged them without their consent. When the students resisted, he threatened to fail them in their examinations.

One victim stated she had to drop out briefly due to harassment and she was deliberately failed in one subject during her first-semester exams. When confronted, the principal reportedly promised to make her the topper and assist in securing future employment if she cooperated. He also sent her messages on Instagram.

Another student accused the principal of harassing her during a state-level talent program.

Based on these allegations, the police arrested the principal and are conducting further investigations, SP Nimbaragi stated.