US tourist rape case: Karnataka Police to file probe report in HC today
Synopsis
An American tourist's harrowing escape from a Madikeri homestay — where she was allegedly drugged, assaulted, and had her Wi-Fi cut off to prevent her reaching the US Embassy — is now before the Karnataka High Court. With the investigation report due Tuesday and the homestay owner seeking a stay, the case is testing both the state's tourist safety framework and its judicial accountability.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka Police are submitting the investigation report to the High Court on 10 June 2025 in the Madikeri US tourist assault case .
A bench led by Justice M.
Nagaprasanna declined to stay the investigation against homestay owner Palekanda Ponnappa alias Vishal ; matter adjourned to 11 June 2025 .
Cook Vrijesh Kumar of Jharkhand allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted the Washington -based tourist in April 2026 ; both Kumar and Vishal have been arrested.
Vishal allegedly disabled the property's Wi-Fi for three days to prevent the victim from contacting the American Embassy .
The homestay had received its licence only in January 2024 and allegedly violated all safety SOPs, according to the Tourism Department .
Former Karnataka Home Minister G.
Parameshwara confirmed suppression attempts were foiled and announced stricter safety enforcement across all homestays in the region.
The Karnataka Police are set to submit their investigation report to the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday, 10 June 2025, in the sexual assault case involving an American tourist at a homestay in Madikeri, Kodagu district. The case, which has drawn national attention, centres on allegations that a staff member sexually assaulted the Washington-based traveller after allegedly spiking her drink.
Key Developments in the Case
A bench headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna directed the state government to produce the investigative documents while hearing a petition filed by accused homestay owner Palekanda Ponnappa alias Vishal. Vishal had sought an interim stay on the investigation against him. The court declined to grant the stay, observing that a serious crime had taken place and that it must first examine the probe documents before passing any orders.
The court has adjourned the matter to Wednesday, 11 June 2025.
What the Petitioner Argued
Vishal's counsel argued before the court that the homestay owner was not accused of rape, and that the other alleged offences attributed to him are bailable in nature. The defence further contended that his arrest without prior notice violated his fundamental rights. The court noted that there are serious allegations against Vishal that need to be verified before any relief can be considered.
How the Assault Allegedly Unfolded
According to the complaint, the incident occurred in April 2026 when the victim — a traveller from Washington — was staying at the homestay villa in Madikeri. The cook, identified as Vrijesh Kumar, a native of Jharkhand, allegedly spiked the tourist's sweet drink with an intoxicating substance. Kumar then allegedly sexually assaulted her after she lost consciousness.
Investigators allege that Vishal subsequently attempted to suppress the incident. According to the complaint, he disabled the property's Wi-Fi for three days to prevent the victim from contacting the American Embassy or local authorities. The victim eventually managed to leave by telling those at the property she was travelling to Mysuru, and immediately contacted the American Embassy upon reaching the city. This triggered a response from the Ministry of External Affairs and local police, leading to the registration of a criminal case.
Both Vrijesh Kumar and Vishal have since been arrested.
Government and Administrative Response
Officials from the Ministry of External Affairs visited Madikeri to oversee the investigation following public outrage over the incident. The Tourism Department noted that the homestay had received its licence only in January 2024 and had allegedly violated all safety Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Former Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara confirmed to reporters that attempts to suppress the case were foiled once the victim's report reached Mysuru police. 'Such incidents reflect poorly on our state and Indian society, especially when they involve foreign nationals,' Parameshwara said, adding that the government has issued strict instructions to district administration to enforce safety regulations across all homestays in the region.
What Comes Next
With the High Court set to examine the investigation report, the legal proceedings are expected to determine whether the case against Vishal proceeds on its current charges or is modified. The broader scrutiny of homestay licensing and safety compliance across Karnataka is also expected to intensify in the coming weeks.
Point of View
And the court is right to scrutinise it before entertaining any stay. The broader signal — that a foreign tourist had to physically flee to another city before authorities were alerted — should prompt a structural review of how distress reporting works in tourist-heavy districts, not just a round of political statements.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Madikeri US tourist assault case?
It is a sexual assault case in which an American tourist from Washington was allegedly drugged and assaulted by a cook named Vrijesh Kumar at a homestay in Madikeri, Kodagu district, Karnataka, in April 2026. The homestay owner, Palekanda Ponnappa alias Vishal, is separately accused of attempting to suppress the incident.
Why is the case before the Karnataka High Court?
The homestay owner, Vishal, filed a petition seeking an interim stay on the investigation against him, arguing the charges against him are bailable and that his arrest violated his fundamental rights. The High Court, headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna, declined to grant the stay and directed police to submit the investigation report on 10 June 2025.
How did the victim escape and report the assault?
The victim told those at the property she was travelling to Mysuru and left. Once in Mysuru, she contacted the American Embassy, which prompted the Ministry of External Affairs and local police to register a criminal case. Both the cook and the homestay owner have since been arrested.
What role did the Ministry of External Affairs play?
After the victim contacted the American Embassy from Mysuru, the Ministry of External Affairs intervened and officials visited Madikeri to oversee the investigation. Their involvement accelerated police action in the case.
What action has the Karnataka government taken on homestay safety?
The Tourism Department noted the homestay had its licence only since January 2024 and had allegedly violated all safety SOPs. Former Home Minister G. Parameshwara announced that strict instructions have been issued to district administration to enforce safety regulations across all homestays in the region.
