India, a country plagued by frequent sexual assaults against women, has witnessed yet another horrific crime. Two women, including an Israeli tourist, were gang-raped, while a male companion who was with them was thrown into the water and drowned.
According to British media outlets such as the BBC and Daily Mail, on Monday, the attack occurred on the night of March 6 near a lake in Hampi, Karnataka, in southern India. The victims, an Israeli tourist and her Indian homestay host, were stargazing when they were assaulted.
Three male tourists—two Indians and one American—were also present.
Police stated that three Indian men approached the group on a motorcycle. They threw the three male tourists into a nearby canal before attacking and raping the two women.
Two of the men thrown into the canal, including the American, managed to survive. Tragically, the third, an Indian national, drowned, and his body was recovered two days later.
The female victims are receiving medical treatment at a local hospital.
On Saturday, police arrested two Indian men in their twenties who had fled the scene. They have been charged with sexual assault, while authorities continue searching for a third suspect.
The homestay host, one of the victims, reported that before the attack, one of the perpetrators had asked for directions to buy gasoline, while another demanded 100 rupees (about $1).
The men persisted despite the host telling them the tourists had no money. Eventually, one of the male tourists handed over 20 rupees (about $0.23).
Following this exchange, the attackers continued to harass the group, ultimately leading to the violent assault.
Hampi, where the attack occurred, is renowned for its ancient relics and temples. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1986.
