Synopsis
In response to a tragic gangrape incident involving an Israeli tourist and an Indian homestay owner in Hampi, Karnataka's Home Minister has announced that embassies of the affected will be informed and security will be strengthened at tourist locations.Key Takeaways
- Government to inform embassies of victims.
- Security at tourist spots will be enhanced.
- Incident occurred on March 6 during stargazing.
- Victims' statements recorded under CrPC.
- Two tourists escaped while one body was recovered.
Bengaluru, March 9 (NationPress) Following the tragic gangrape incident involving a tourist from Israel and an Indian homestay owner, along with three other tourists, including one from the US, while they were stargazing in Koppal district, Home Minister G. Parameshwara announced that the respective embassies would be notified.
An American tourist, part of the group of four, was also assaulted and pushed into a canal during the event but managed to escape.
Parameshwara addressed the media about the situation, stating, "The government is assessing the support required by the victims. Once their statements are taken before the magistrate, they will be allowed to leave."
He mentioned that the victims would be transported to Bengaluru after the legal procedures, and subsequently, they would be sent back to their home countries.
"The diplomatic missions of Israel and the US will be notified. Their embassies will receive a brief. Moreover, we must ensure that they return safely to their countries," he emphasized.
"The tourists did not alert the police prior to their stargazing excursion. They rode bikes directly from the homestay to the location. The tourists were engaged in singing at a remote area," Parameshwara noted.
The incident transpired on March 6 when four guests at the Heartland homestay, including 23-year-old Daniel from the US, a female tourist from Israel, and two others, Pankaj Rao and Amrut Rao Patil from Nasik in Maharashtra and Beebash from Odisha, had rented accommodations.
The three accused approached the tourists requesting money. They subsequently pushed Daniel, Pankaj, and Beebash into the canal and gang-raped the homestay owner and the Israeli tourist.
Daniel and Pankaj managed to swim back to safety, but Beebash’s body was recovered the following day near the hydel power park close to Mallapura village, he stated.
The homestay owner is a 29-year-old woman from Tamil Nadu.
Victims' statements were recorded under Section 164 of the CrPC before the magistrate on Saturday night, according to Parameshwara.
He also declared plans to enhance security measures at tourist sites, including Hampi.
