2 min readBengaluruUpdated: Aug 17, 2026 12:32 PM ISTThe police have also booked an SDPI leader for allegedly assisting in facilitating the abortion.The Karnataka Police have arrested a doctor and a nurse, and five other people in connection with the alleged gang rape of a 26-year-old mentally challenged woman in Gadag district.The accused have been identified as Sikandar Gulabsab Bepari, Pradeep Sagar Navalekar, Shabbeer Ahmed alias Joonsab Mahmad Rafiq Langoti, Bharat Mahadevappa Koravar, Sandeep Sagar Navalekar, Dr Nagaraj Kamatar and Rekha Shirahatti. According to a police officer, though the victim was being raped for over six months, it came to light only recently after she became pregnant.The woman’s mother, who spoke to the media, said they had taken her to hospital after she complained of stomach pain and then the doctors confirmed that she was pregnant.Gadag Superintendent of Police (SP) Rohan Jagadeesh Friday said a special team has been formed to investigate the case.A police officer said, “Sikandar Gulabsab Bepari, Pradeep Sagar Navalekar, Shabbeer Ahmed, and Bharat Mahadevappa Koravar lured the victim with chocolates and have sexually assaulted her multiple times. When the issue came to light, according to the mother, the accused and some leaders in the locality offered money to the family and threatened them not to inform the police. They also made arrangements for abortion.”Also Read | Buried under 45 loads of soil: How search for missing mason led Karnataka Police to his killer brotherDr Kamatar and nurse Shirahatti allegedly administered abortion pills to terminate the pregnancy illegally. The police have also booked Gadag Anjuman president Anwar Bagewadi, secretary Altaf Koppal, and Social Democratic Party of India leader Bilal Gokavi for allegedly assisting in facilitating the abortion.A medical shop owner accused of supplying the pills without a prescription is currently absconding, with police efforts underway to trace him.© The Indian Express Pvt LtdStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on InstagramTags:KarnatakaAdvertisementLoading Recommendations...AdvertisementLive BlogIndia vs Sri Lanka Live Score, 1st Test Day 3: Ravindra Jadeja picks Dhananjaya de Silva; SL five down vs IND in Galle30 minutes agoBatwara 1947 Box Office Collection Day 3 Updates: Sunny Deol-starrer earns Rs 37 cr worldwide, struggles on Monday30 minutes agoIndia news Live Updates, 17 August 2026: Udhayanidhi Stalin alleges drugs were behind recent murders in Tamil Nadu, slams CM Vijay33 minutes agoAwarapan 2 Box Office Collection Day 3 Updates: Emraan Hashmi film earns Rs 110 cr globally; 1500 new shows added40 minutes agoWorld News Live Updates: US and Israel ‘failed to achieve’ war goals, says Iran’s top negotiator44 minutes agoAdvertisement