Two women—a 27-year-old Israeli tourist and a 29-year-old woman managing a homestay—were reportedly gang-raped by three men on the banks of the Sanapur Lake, close to Hampi in Karnataka, on Thursday night.
CNN-News18 reported that the event took place at approximately 11:30 pm as the women engaged in stargazing at the location. The defendant also assaulted three male friends who accompanied the women, forcing them into the canal prior to the offense.
While Daniel from the U.S. and Pankaj, a traveler from Maharashtra, successfully swam to safety, Bibash from Odisha unfortunately drowned. Authorities reported that his body was found on Saturday morning.
HOW THE INCIDENT HAPPENED
The 29-year-old homestay proprietor stated in her complaint that she and four other visitors went stargazing by the Tungabhadra Left Bank Canal after dinner that night.
Three men riding a motorcycle came up to them and inquired about where to find petrol. When the homestay proprietor informed them that there weren’t any petrol stations close by, the men requested Rs 100.
When the travelers denied, a dispute ensued. According to the complaint, the travelers and the women were then assaulted by the accused. They escaped on their motorcycle following the crime.
A case has been filed at the Gangavathi rural police station under sections 309(6) (theft or extortion), 311 (robbery or dacoity with the aim to cause death or serious injury), 64 (rape), 70(1) (gang-rape), and 109 (attempted murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
A senior police officer stated that a search operation has been initiated for the suspect. He mentioned that up to six specialized teams have been established to look into the case.
