2 Arrested For Raping Israeli Tourist In Karnataka, Co-Traveller Found Dead

Two women - a 27-year-old Israeli tourist and a homestay owner - were allegedly gang-raped by three men in Karnataka on Thursday night, police on Saturday said, adding that two accused have been arrested.

The incident occurred when the victims were stargazing on the serene banks of a canal in Koppal, about 350 km from tech hub Bengaluru, with three other travellers. The accused pushed the three travellers into the canal before targeting the women. While Daniel, who is from the United States, and Pankaj, a traveller from Maharashtra, managed to swim out, Bibash from Odisha drowned. His body was found on Saturday morning.

"Out of the three accused, we have arrested two and efforts are being taken to nab the third suspect in the case," Koppal Superintendent of Police Ram L Arasiddi said.

Police said the women are recovering at a government hospital

Providing details, Mr Arasiddi said: "Five people - two women and three men - were attacked near Sanapur. Two of them are foreigners - an American, and another a woman from Israel. The woman said in her complaint that besides being beaten up, the two women were sexually assaulted by the accused." 

In her complaint, the homestay owner, 29, said she and the four guests had gone for stargazing on the banks of Tungabhadra Left Bank Canal after dinner when the accused arrived on a bike.

They first asked where they could get petrol and then started demanding Rs 100 from the travellers. On being refused, they attacked the travellers, pushed the men into the canal, and raped the women, the complaint read. They fled on their motorcycle after committing the crime.

Fire officials and the police's dog squad looking for the missing tourist - who was later found dead

Fire officials and the police's dog squad were deployed to find Bibash yesterday. His body was found on the bank of the canal this morning.

The women are recovering at a government hospital, but they can be shifted to a private hospital if they want, said police. Based on the complaint, a police case has been filed under rape, gang-rape, and robbery charges.

Mr Arasiddi said immediate action was taken after women lodged their complaint. Two special teams are investigating the case, he said. He said the women have undergone medical checkup to confirm rape. 

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said his government is committed to providing protection to everyone, including tourists, coming to the state.

"As soon as the incident was reported, I obtained information from the relevant police, conducted a thorough investigation, and instructed them to quickly identify the culprits," he said in a post on X. 

"Our government is committed to providing protection to everyone, including tourists, coming to the state. All necessary measures will be taken to ensure that such incidents do not recur," he assured.

Karnataka BJP President B Y Vijayendra, however, hit out at the ruling Congress and alleged that despite the rise in crimes against women across the state, the dispensation remains "delusional and indifferent" to the suffering of its people.