Daijiworld Media Network- Bengaluru

Bengaluru, March 9: Condemning the gang rape of an Israeli tourist and a local homestay owner as a heinous crime, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reaffirmed the Congress-led government’s commitment to ensuring tourist safety in the state.

Taking to social media platform X, CM Siddaramaiah stated, “The assault and rape of an Israeli citizen and a homestay owner in Sanapur, Gangavati taluk, Koppal district, is an extremely heinous act.”

“As soon as the incident was reported, I gathered information from the concerned police officials and directed them to conduct a thorough investigation and swiftly apprehend the culprits. Two accused have been arrested, and the investigation is ongoing,” the CM said.

“Our government is committed to ensuring the safety of every individual, including tourists. All necessary measures will be taken to prevent such incidents from recurring,” he emphasized.

Koppal SP Ram L Arasiddi, in his latest statement on Saturday, provided details of the attack:

“On the night of March 6, between 11 p.m. and midnight, a group of five individuals—two foreign tourists and three Indians—were assaulted. Three men were physically attacked, while two women were sexually assaulted. Three men fell into the canal; two survived, while the body of one, identified as Bebaas, was recovered today.”

Following a complaint by one of the victims, an FIR was registered at the Gangavati Rural police station. Based on intelligence and local leads, the police arrested two suspects—Mallesha aka Handi Mallu and Chetan Sai—both residents of Sai Nagar, Gangavathi town.

“The accused will be further interrogated and presented in court. If necessary, they will be taken into police custody for further investigation,” the SP added.

All four surviving victims have undergone medical examinations and received necessary treatment. One more suspect remains at large, and police teams have been deployed to arrest him soon.

The incident occurred on Thursday night when the homestay owner took female tourists from Israel and the US, along with a male tourist from Odisha and the deceased, to the Tungabhadra Left Bank Canal near Sanapura village for stargazing.

While the group was stargazing, the accused arrived on a bike, initially asking for petrol. They then began demanding money and, upon refusal, attacked the group with stones, pushing the men into the canal and sexually assaulting the women.

The 29-year-old homestay owner, one of the sexual assault victims, filed a police complaint. Preliminary investigations revealed that the attackers first asked for Rs 20, which the group gave them. However, they then demanded Rs 100, leading to an argument and subsequent violence.

The attackers assaulted the victims with stones and their bare hands. They pushed three men into the canal and raped both women—a local homestay owner and an Israeli tourist. Two suspects gang-raped the homestay owner, while one suspect raped the Israeli national, according to sources.

The victims were strangers before meeting at the homestay, where they became acquainted. More details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.