Hampi gangrape case: K'taka govt to inform embassies, boost security

After the horrific gangrape of a tourist from Israel and an Indian homestay owner, who along with three other tourists, including one from the US, were stargazing in Koppal district, Karnataka home minister G. Parameshwara stated that their respective embassies would be informed.

An American national, part of a group of four tourists, was also attacked and pushed into a canal during the incident, but managed to escape. Speaking to the media, Parameshwara said, "The government is looking into the assistance the victims needed after the incident. Once the statements are recorded before the magistrate, they are free to go." The victims would be brought to Bengaluru after the procedure and later will be sent to their countries, Parameshwara said.

"The diplomatic missions of Israel and the US will be informed. Their embassies will be briefed. Further, whatever steps we take, we should ensure that they safely reach their countries," he said.

"The tourists did not inform the police before they went stargazing. They had gone to the spot directly on bikes from the homestay, and were singing at an isolated place," Parameshwara said.

The incident occurred on 6 March when four inmates of the homestay, one 23-year-old Daniel from the US, another female tourist from Israel, and two others, Pankaj Rao Amrut Rao Patil from Nasik in Maharashtra and Bebash from Odisha, had rented rooms.

The accused trio approached the tourists and asked for money. They later pushed Daniel, Pankaj and Bebash into the canal and gangraped the homestay owner and Israeli tourist. Daniel and Pankaj managed to swim back to safety but Beebash's body was recovered the next day near the hydel power park close to the Mallapura village, the minister said.

The homestay owner, a 29-year-old woman, is from Tamil Nadu. Statements of the victims were recorded under section 164 of the CrPC before a magistrate on Saturday night, Parameshwara said . He also announced the security would be stepped up at tourist spots, including Hampi.