A horrific incident unfolded near Karnataka’s Hampi late Thursday night, where a 27-year-old Israeli tourist and a 29-year-old local homestay operator were allegedly gang-raped while stargazing near Sanapur Lake. The assault took place around 11 PM when the two women were spending time with three male tourists—an American and two Indian nationals from Maharashtra and Odisha—after dinner.
According to reports, three men arrived on a motorcycle and initially approached the group under the pretext of asking for petrol. When informed that there were no fuel stations nearby, they allegedly demanded ₹100. Upon refusal, the assailants—who reportedly spoke Kannada and Telugu—became aggressive, verbally abusing and then attacking the group.
The attackers overpowered the two women and sexually assaulted them, while the male tourists were physically assaulted and pushed into the Tungabhadra Left Bank Canal. Two managed to escape with injuries, but the tourist from Odisha, identified as Bibas, remains missing. A rescue operation is underway to locate him.
A case has been registered at the Gangavathi Rural Police Station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges of gang rape, extortion, dacoity with intent to cause grievous harm, and attempted murder. The survivors are receiving medical care.
Authorities have identified the suspects, and six police teams have been deployed to track them down. Meanwhile, police recovered key evidence from the scene, including a two-wheeler, a handbag with a camera, a broken guitar, and blood-stained clothes.
A senior police official stated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the accused and ensure justice for the victims.