Gadag rape case: 7 arrested including doctor, nurse in Karnataka
Synopsis
A mentally challenged woman was allegedly raped by four men in Gadag, Karnataka, and then subjected to an illegal abortion arranged with the help of a government hospital nurse and a local doctor. Seven are now in custody — and police are probing whether community leaders and a political figure helped cover it up.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka Police arrested seven persons on 15 August in the Gadag rape and illegal abortion case.
The accused include Nagaraj Kamatara , a medical practitioner, and Rekha Shirahatti , a staff nurse at Shigli Government Hospital .
The victim, a mentally challenged woman, was allegedly assaulted repeatedly; the pregnancy was terminated using 10 tablets administered without legal sanction.
The accused allegedly threatened the victim's family and offered money to suppress the matter.
Allegations of involvement by local community leaders and an SDPI leader are under investigation.
Gadag SP Rohan Jagadish warned that anyone attempting to shield the accused will face legal action.
Karnataka Police have arrested seven persons — including a medical practitioner and a staff nurse — in connection with the alleged rape of a mentally challenged woman and the subsequent illegal termination of her pregnancy in Gadag district, officials confirmed on Saturday, 15 August. The case has drawn sharp scrutiny over the alleged role of healthcare workers and local community figures in concealing the crime.
Who Has Been Arrested
The seven accused have been identified as Sikandar Bepari, Shabbir Ahmad Langoti (alias Joona Saab), Pradeep Navalekar, Bharat Koravara, Sandeep, Nagaraj Kamatara, and Rekha Shirahatti. According to police, Sikandar, Shabbir Ahmad, Pradeep, and Bharat allegedly lured the victim to an isolated location and sexually assaulted her repeatedly over a prolonged period.
How the Case Came to Light
The alleged assault came to light after the victim became pregnant, at which point her family members learnt of the abuse. Police allege that the accused subsequently threatened the victim's family and attempted to settle the matter by offering money — an effort that reportedly failed, prompting the family to approach authorities.
The Illegal Abortion: What Police Found
During the investigation, police allege that the accused — with the assistance of Nagaraj Kamatara, a medical practitioner from Bellatti village in Lakshmeshwara taluk, and Rekha Shirahatti, a staff nurse attached to Shigli Government Hospital — arranged for the victim to undergo an abortion without legal sanction. The victim was reportedly made to consume 10 tablets to induce a miscarriage, following which the pregnancy was terminated. Sandeep is also allegedly involved in this process, according to police.
Allegations Against Community Leaders
The victim's family has further alleged that local community leaders and a leader affiliated with the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) were involved in attempts to facilitate the illegal abortion and shield the accused from prosecution. Police confirmed these allegations are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation. Separately, a search has been launched for the owner of a medical shop who allegedly sold the abortion-inducing pills without a prescription.
What the Police Said
Gadag Superintendent of Police Rohan Jagadish stated that no person connected to the case would be spared, regardless of their influence or position. He warned that anyone who attempted to broker a settlement between the victim's family and the accused, or tried to suppress the case, would face legal action. The investigation remains active, with police probing the alleged involvement of additional individuals.
Point of View
A government hospital staffer, and community power brokers. The presence of a nurse from a government facility in the chain of the illegal abortion points to a systemic failure of institutional oversight. If the allegations against the SDPI-linked figure and community leaders hold up, this also becomes a test of whether Karnataka's police machinery can act without political interference. The SP's public warning is the right signal — but the real measure will be whether the investigation reaches as far as the evidence leads.
NationPress
15 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Gadag rape and illegal abortion case?
A mentally challenged woman in Gadag district, Karnataka, was allegedly raped repeatedly by four men. When the assault came to light after she became pregnant, the accused allegedly arranged an illegal abortion with the help of a local doctor and a government hospital nurse, and also threatened the victim's family to suppress the matter.
Who has been arrested in the Gadag case?
Seven persons have been arrested: Sikandar Bepari, Shabbir Ahmad Langoti, Pradeep Navalekar, Bharat Koravara, Sandeep, Nagaraj Kamatara (a medical practitioner), and Rekha Shirahatti (a staff nurse at Shigli Government Hospital).
What is the alleged role of the doctor and nurse in this case?
According to police, Nagaraj Kamatara, a medical practitioner from Bellatti village, and Rekha Shirahatti, a staff nurse at Shigli Government Hospital, allegedly helped arrange the illegal termination of the victim's pregnancy. The victim was reportedly made to consume 10 tablets to induce a miscarriage.
Are political figures involved in the Gadag case?
The victim's family has alleged that local community leaders and an SDPI leader were involved in efforts to facilitate the illegal abortion and protect the accused. Police have confirmed these allegations are being investigated but no arrests on this count have been announced yet.
What action has the Gadag police taken?
Gadag Superintendent of Police Rohan Jagadish has stated that no person connected to the case will be spared regardless of influence. Police are also searching for a medical shop owner who allegedly sold abortion pills without a prescription, and are probing the involvement of additional suspects.
