Mangaluru: Three youths from Kerala have been arrested by the Belthangady police for allegedly sexually harassing a group of college students during a visit to the popular Didupe waterfalls in Dakshina Kannada district. The incident, which reportedly took place on May 20, has triggered concern over the safety of women tourists at remote tourist destinations in the coastal region.
The arrested accused have been identified as Abdul Khader Altaf (36), Faizal Adil (27), and Usman Salim (18), all natives of Kasaragod district in neighbouring Keralam.
According to police sources, the three accused had allegedly taken three young women, who were pursuing their studies in Mangaluru, to the scenic Didupe waterfalls located in Belthangady taluk. During the outing, the accused allegedly behaved inappropriately with the women and subjected them to sexual harassment.
Police said the incident occurred while the group was spending time near the waterfalls. The women reportedly objected to the behaviour of the accused and resisted the alleged harassment. Their protests drew the attention of other visitors and local people present at the spot.
Upon realising the seriousness of the situation, members of the public intervened and restrained the accused youths before immediately informing the Belthangady police. Police personnel later arrived at the location and took all three accused into custody for questioning. A criminal case has been registered at the Belthangady Police Station under Crime No. 60/2026, and further legal action has been initiated against the accused.
Confirming the development, Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Arun Kumar said that the police had acted swiftly based on the complaint and evidence available. “The accused have been arrested in connection with allegations of inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment of the students. A case has been registered at Belthangady Police Station and further legal procedures are being carried out,” the SP said.
Police officials stated that statements of the victims and witnesses are being recorded as part of the investigation. Authorities are also examining whether the accused had planned the trip in advance and the exact sequence of events that led to the alleged harassment incident.
Sources said investigators are also verifying the relationship between the accused and the victims, along with digital evidence and communication records connected to the case.
Didupe waterfalls, situated amidst dense greenery and hilly terrain in Belthangady taluk, is one of the popular tourist attractions in Dakshina Kannada district. The picturesque location draws visitors from different parts of Karnataka and neighbouring Kerala, particularly students and youth seeking weekend getaways.
Police officials have also urged tourists, especially women, to remain cautious while visiting remote tourist spots and to immediately approach authorities if they face harassment or suspicious behaviour.
