Three men have been arrested in Karnataka's Mysuru district, South India, for allegedly kidnapping, gang-raping and robbing a 30-year-old woman from West Bengal. The victim told police she was walking towards a bus stop at around 9.45pm to catch a bus home after celebrating a friend's birthday when a car intercepted her.
The three men forcibly pulled her into the vehicle before driving her to multiple locations. She was eventually taken to a lodge in nearby Sante Maralli in Chamarajanagar district, where she was confined to a room and sexually assaulted by the trio. Before abandoning her near her home between 1.30am and 2am, the attackers also robbed her of Rs 5,000 (£46) in cash and two mobile phones.
Police Investigation and Arrests
Following the ordeal, the woman was taken to a local hospital, where her formal statement was recorded. T. Narasipura police acted swiftly upon receiving her complaint, registering charges of kidnapping, gang-rape and robbery under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) law, according to local reports.
Detectives tracked down and arrested all three suspects - identified as Kiran, Kishore, and Riyan, all local residents - within 24 hours. They have been remanded to judicial custody. However, officers noted that the accused had claimed the victim accompanied them voluntarily, alleging a dispute had erupted at the lodge over a recorded video before they dropped her off. Police are currently examining all aspects of the case to establish the full facts.
Regional Safety Concerns
Police officials stressed that due to the extreme sensitivity of the case and wider concerns over women's safety, immediate action was taken to track down the suspects. However, detectives confirmed they are still examining all aspects of the allegations as the investigation continues.
The shock incident has sent fresh alarm through the region, which relies heavily on international tourism and is currently preparing for its world-famous Dasara festival celebrations. It comes after a separate, horrific attack in the same city on October 9, 2025, when a 10-year-old girl was sexually assaulted and brutally murdered near Mysuru Palace. The child had travelled from Kalaburagi with her family and around 50 members of the nomadic Hakki Pikki tribe to sell balloons and toys to tourists during the city's famous Dasara festival, camping on grounds next to the landmark.
Following a frantic search, police recovered the child's body and launched a massive manhunt using local CCTV. Investigators tracked down a suspect named Karthik in Kollegal, who violently attacked officers in a desperate bid to escape, forcing police to shoot him in the leg before taking him into custody. While the two crimes are unconnected, the latest allegations have reignited intense public concern over safety across the popular tourist hub.
