Indian Court Imposes Death Penalty on Trio for Heinous Tourist Assault
A district court in southern India has delivered a landmark verdict, sentencing three men to death for a violent attack on tourists in the heritage town of Hampi last year. The court classified the case as among the "rarest of rare" due to its extreme brutality, which involved gang-rape and murder.
Details of the Vicious Assault
The incident occurred on 6 March 2025 near Sanapur Lake in Hampi, Karnataka, a UNESCO World Heritage site popular with backpackers. A group of five tourists, including an Israeli woman, an American man, and others, were stargazing and camping by the Tungabhadra river when three men on a motorbike approached them.
The assailants demanded money, and after receiving only 20 rupees (approximately £0.16) from one tourist, they became violent. They physically assaulted the group, pushed three male tourists into a canal, and then sexually assaulted the two women.
The victims included a 27-year-old Israeli tourist and her 29-year-old Indian homestay host. Among the male tourists pushed into the water, one from Odisha died, while American tourist Daniel Pitas, 23, survived.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
The Koppal district court convicted Mallesh (alias Handi Malla, 22), Sai (alias Chaitanya Sai, 21), and Sharanappa (alias Sharanabasavaraj, 27) on 6 February on charges including gang-rape, attempted murder, and robbery. All three had prior criminal records.
Before delivering the death sentence on Monday, the court reviewed reports on the defendants' social backgrounds, jail conduct, and psychological states. The judge emphasized that crimes of such severity, targeting both domestic and international tourists in a peaceful tourist zone, warranted the ultimate punishment to uphold the rule of law and ensure public safety.
Police Response and Broader Context
The attack prompted immediate action from Karnataka police, who formed six special teams. They arrested two suspects within 48 hours and the third within a week. A police officer described the assailants' behavior as "inhuman."
This incident has reignited concerns about women's safety in India, particularly for foreign tourists. It follows similar attacks in recent years, including the rape of a Spanish tourist in Jharkhand and the rape and murder of an Irish tourist in Goa.
Official statistics highlight a troubling trend: police recorded 31,516 rape cases in 2022, a 20% increase from 2021, according to the National Crime Records Bureau. However, the actual number is believed to be significantly higher due to underreporting stemming from social stigma.
Legal Process and International Implications
The death sentence must now be upheld by the Karnataka High Court and is subject to appeal in the Supreme Court. The case has drawn international condemnation, putting pressure on Indian authorities to address safety issues in tourist destinations.
Hampi, known for its 14th-century Vijayanagara empire ruins, continues to attract visitors, but this attack underscores ongoing challenges in protecting both domestic and international tourists from violent crime.
