Two Arrested in India Following Gang Rape of Israeli Tourist and Local Woman; One Man Dead

KOPPAL, India – Two men have been arrested in southern India in connection with the alleged gang rape of an Israeli tourist and her Indian homestay operator. The attack occurred Thursday night near Hampi, a town in Karnataka state known for its UNESCO World Heritage site, while the women were stargazing with a group of male travelers. During the assault, one of the travelers drowned after the attackers pushed the men into a canal.

Police official Ram L. Arasiddi confirmed the arrests Saturday, stating that a special investigation team was formed to apprehend the suspects. The arrested men are being investigated on suspicion of attempted murder, gang rape, and robbery. Authorities are still searching for a third suspect involved in the crime.

According to initial reports, the victims were stargazing with three male travelers – an American and two Indians – when three men on a motorbike approached them, demanding money. An argument ensued, and the assailants pushed the male travelers into a nearby canal before sexually assaulting the women.

One of the Indian tourists drowned in the canal. His body was recovered on Saturday. The American and the other Indian man managed to swim to safety.

The victims were immediately taken to a hospital for medical attention and examination. The Indian woman is reported to be the homestay operator who was hosting the Israeli tourist. Homestays are a form of lodging where visitors share a residence with a local host.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah condemned the attack, calling it a "deeply heinous crime" in a post on X. He assured that the police are taking all necessary measures to prevent such incidents from recurring.

The arrested suspects have been identified by The Times of India as Mallesh alias Handi Malla, 22, and Chetan Sai Sillekyatar, 21. Koppal police superintendent Ram L. Arasiddi told NDTV that efforts are underway to apprehend the third suspect.

This incident has reignited concerns about the safety of women in India, where sexual assault remains a pervasive issue. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, police recorded 31,516 rape cases in 2022, a 20% increase from 2021. However, the actual number is believed to be significantly higher due to the stigma associated with sexual violence and a lack of faith in the police.

The 2012 gang rape and murder of a student on a New Delhi bus brought rape and sexual violence to the forefront, sparking widespread protests and leading to the creation of fast-track courts for rape cases and stricter penalties. In 2013, India's rape law was amended, criminalizing stalking and voyeurism and lowering the age at which a person can be tried as an adult from 18 to 16. In 2018, the government approved the death penalty for individuals convicted of raping children under the age of 12.

Several other high-profile cases have drawn attention to the issue of sexual violence in India. Last year, a junior doctor was raped and murdered at a hospital in Kolkata, leading to national outrage and protests. In previous years, incidents involving foreign tourists have also made headlines, including the rape and murder of an Irish tourist in 2017 and reported rapes of tourists in 2022 and 2024.

The recent attack in Koppal serves as a stark reminder of the challenges India faces in ensuring the safety and security of women, both local and foreign. While authorities have taken steps to address the issue, significant work remains to be done to change societal attitudes and improve law enforcement's response to sexual violence. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have assured that they are committed to bringing all perpetrators to justice.