A 27-year-old Israeli tourist and a 29-year-old homestay operator were allegedly gang-raped near Hampi while stargazing by the banks of Sanapur Lake on Thursday night.
The attack has sparked outrage and concerns over safety in the UNESCO World Heritage site.
According to police reports, the victims were part of a group that included three male tourists – one from the United States and two from India.
The attack took place around 11 pm when a group of assailants arrived on a motorcycle and initially inquired about petrol.
They then demanded ₹100 from the tourists, and when the group refused, the situation turned violent.
The attackers physically assaulted the group, forcing the male tourists into a nearby canal before sexually assaulting the two women.
While two of the male tourists – Daniel from the US and Pankaj from Maharashtra – managed to escape, the third, identified as Bibash from Odisha, remains missing.
A search operation involving fire officials and the police dog squad is currently underway to locate him.
Superintendent of Police, Koppal, Ram L Arasiddi, confirmed that a case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges of gang rape, robbery, and attempted murder.
He assured that six special teams have been formed to track down the perpetrators, and the investigation is progressing swiftly.
The victims are currently receiving medical treatment at a government hospital.
Follow us
