Three Islamist youths from Kerala have been arrested by police in Karnataka for allegedly sexually harassing a group of college students during a trip to the popular Didupe Waterfalls in Dakshina Kannada district. The incident has once again raised serious concerns regarding the safety of women tourists visiting isolated tourist destinations in the coastal belt.

As per the Organiser reports, the accused Islamists have been identified as Abdul Khader Altaf, Faizal Adil, and Usman Salim, all natives of Kasaragod district in Kerala.

Alleged harassment during a waterfall outing

According to police sources, the three accused Islamists had allegedly accompanied three young women studying in Mangaluru to the scenic waterfalls in Belthangady taluk on May 20. During the outing, the accused allegedly behaved inappropriately with the women and subjected them to sexual harassment near the tourist spot.

Police stated that the women strongly objected to the behavior of the accused and resisted the alleged harassment. Their protests reportedly attracted the attention of other tourists and local residents present near the waterfalls.

Public intervenes; accused Islamists handed over to police

As the situation escalated, members of the public intervened and restrained the accused youths before alerting the Belthangady Police Station. Police personnel soon reached the location and took all three accused into custody for questioning.

A criminal case was subsequently registered at Belthangady Police Station under Crime No. 60/2026, and further legal proceedings have been initiated against the accused.

Police begin detailed investigation

Confirming the arrests, Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Arun Kumar stated that swift action was taken based on the complaint and preliminary evidence gathered by investigators.

Police officials said statements of the victims and witnesses are currently being recorded. Investigators are also examining the exact sequence of events, the prior relationship between the accused and the women, and digital communication records connected to the incident.

Authorities are reportedly verifying whether the trip had been pre-planned and whether additional individuals may have had prior knowledge of the events leading to the alleged harassment.

Safety concerns at remote tourist destinations

The incident has triggered fresh debate about the safety of women at remote tourist spots frequently visited by students and youth from Karnataka and Kerala. Didupe waterfalls, surrounded by dense forests and hilly terrain, is a major attraction in Dakshina Kannada district and witnesses large crowds during weekends and holidays.

Police have urged tourists, especially women, to remain cautious while visiting isolated locations and to immediately report harassment, intimidation, or suspicious behavior to authorities. The rising incidents of communal violence, public harassment, and crimes against women under the Congress government in Karnataka have created growing concerns over law and order in the state. The repeated cases of Islamist mob violence, intimidation, and sexual harassment reflect a disturbing deterioration in public safety. Many Hindu organizations and activists claim that the government’s soft approach towards such incidents has further intensified fears and insecurity among ordinary citizens.