Israeli woman among two gang-raped in Karnataka

Two women, including a 27-year-old Israeli tourist, were allegedly gang-raped and assaulted while stargazing near Hampi, the police said on Saturday.

Three male tourists who were with the women were also assaulted and pushed into a canal and one of them was found dead, they said.

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

As the opposition BJP in Karnataka flayed the Congress government over the incident, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assured that his government was committed to providing protection to everyone, including tourists, coming to the state.

The arrested have been identified as Mallesh and Chetan Sai. Both hailing from Sai Nagara in Gangavathi town. They work as masons.

The incident occurred around 11 pm on Thursday. After dinner, a 29-year-old homestay operator, along with the Israeli tourist and three male tourists, was sitting by the left bank of the Tungabhadra Canal near Sanapur Lake, playing guitar, enjoying music and stargazing.

Among the male tourists, one was from the United States, while the others were from Odisha and Maharashtra.

According to the police, in her complaint, the homestay operator alleged three men who came on a motorcycle approached them, asking where they could get petrol. When she informed them that there were no petrol pumps nearby and suggested they get it from Sanapur, the accused demanded Rs 100.

When she refused to give them money, the accused, who spoke Kannada and Telugu, started abusing them. They then allegedly raped the homestay operator and the Israeli tourist and pushed the three male tourists into the canal, a senior police officer said. — PTI