SAN DIEGO, 6 AUG

An Indian-origin associate professor at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Nisarg Shah, is under investigation following his alleged involvement in a vigilante-organised child predator sting operation in California, according to media reports.

The incident reportedly occurred on 2 August at a Pavilions grocery store in San Diego’s Hillcrest neighbourhood, where Shah was confronted by the activist group 'People v Preds', which conducts online sting operations to expose suspected child predators.

Shah allegedly attempted to meet an individual he believed to be a 14-year-old boy after engaging in explicit conversations on the dating app Grindr, the reports said. During the confrontation, which was recorded on video, Shah admitted to bringing items including personal lubricant and a douche, and expressed remorse, stating, “I feel horrible, the worst I’ve ever felt… I need to maybe get help or something.”

Though he was not taken into custody at the scene, San Diego Police seized his mobile phone and have referred the case to the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force for further investigation.

Shah has denied the allegations. His lawyer, when contacted by local media, declined to comment further, citing legal advice. UC San Diego has stated it is cooperating with authorities and reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy towards sexual misconduct, urging the campus community to report any instances of abuse or harassment.

No formal charges have been filed against Shah, and the investigation remains ongoing.