Indian-Origin Professor Under Police Scanner After Child-Sex Sting Operation in California

Last Updated:August 06, 2025, 16:18 IST

Nisarg Shah, an Indian-origin professor at UC San Diego, was caught in an online child predator sting. Accused of trying to meet a minor, Shah denied the allegations.

Screengrab from the video posted by People v Preds on X (Credit: @peoplevpreds)

An Indian-origin associate professor at the University of California San Diego, has come under police lens after he was caught in a child predator sting operation, according to a report in India Today.

A viral video has emerged that allegedly shows the man, identified as Nisarg Shah, as being confronted in the sting operation.

The footage, recorded on August 2 inside a Pavilions grocery store in San Diego’s Hillcrest neighborhood, was released by a group People v Preds.

People v Preds is a US-based vigilante group known for targeting suspected predators through online sting operations.

The report further suggested that Shah is accused of attempting to meet someone he believed was a 14-year-old boy for sexual activity.

He was confronted by activist Tim Johnson after alleged explicit conversations on the dating app Grindr. He reportedly identified himself as a 28-year-old.

During the confrontation, Shah appeared regretful, admitting to bringing personal lubricant and a douche, and stating, “I feel horrible, the worst I’ve ever felt…I need to maybe get help or something."

Soon after the confrontation, San Diego Police Department (SDPD) officials arrived on the scene but did not arrest him. However, Shah’s phone was seized, and the case was referred to the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. An investigation is underway into the matter.

Meanwhile, Shah denied the allegations when contacted by local outlet SanDiegoVille, the India Today report claimed.

“These are wrongful allegations and while I would have been willing to share my account, my attorney will not let me do so, but he would be happy to speak with you," Shah was quoted as saying by SanDiegoVille.

Further, UC San Diego has acknowledged the incident and affirmed full cooperation with law enforcement. The university reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy toward sexual misconduct, urging the campus community to report any harassment or abuse.

Shah is an associate professor in the Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering and is recognized for his work in immunoengineering and nanomaterials.

So far, no charges have been filed against him.

California, USA

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