Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Sept 16: Manipal police have arrested a 21-year-old man in connection with a case registered following allegations that a second-year student was subjected to harassment, coercion or blackmail prior to her suicide.
According to the police, Leslie Joseph Mathew (60), father of the deceased Paula Leslie Warjri, had approached the court through a private complaint. Paula, a second-year student in Manipal, was found dead in her room near Coin Circle, Manipal, between 11:45 pm on November 7, 2025, and 8:40 am on November 8, 2025.
A case had earlier been registered at Manipal police station. The case was subsequently closed after a final report was prepared.
The digital devices and personal belongings of the deceased, including her Apple iPad, iPhone and diary, were later handed over to her father.
While examining the devices and diary, the complainant allegedly found records of communications exchanged through Snapchat with a person identified as Sai Bhingare alias Sai Patil. Based on the complaint and the possibility that the deceased may have been subjected to continuous harassment, coercion or blackmail, Manipal police registered a fresh case.
Acting on the directions of Manipal police inspector Mahesh Prasad, PSI Thimmesh B N conducted the investigation.
Police arrested Sai Sanjay Bhingare, 21, son of Sanjay Bhingare, a resident of Alok City, Silvassa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, on September 9, 2026. He was produced before the court and has been remanded to judicial custody.
Police said further investigation into the case is under way.