Udupi: 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 before her suicide.

According to police, Leslie Joseph Mathew, 60, father of the deceased Paula Leslie Warjri, approached the court through a private complaint, following which a fresh case was registered.

Student found dead in Manipal

Paula Leslie Warjri, 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 in connection with her death. The case was subsequently closed after a final report was prepared.

Later, the digital devices and personal belongings of the deceased, including her Apple iPad, iPhone and diary, were handed over to her father.

Communications found on digital devices

While examining the devices and diary, the complainant allegedly came across 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.

The allegations are part of the ongoing investigation, and police are examining the communications and other material relevant to the case.

21-year-old arrested

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, in 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.

Further investigation under way

Police said further investigation into the case is under way. Investigators are examining the allegations raised in the complaint and the material recovered from the deceased’s digital devices and personal belongings.

The exact circumstances surrounding the student’s death and the alleged communications are expected to be examined as part of the investigation.