Bengaluru, February 16: A court in Karnataka’s Koppal district has sentenced three men to death for their involvement in a gang rape and murder case near Hampi last year. The First Additional District and Sessions Court in Gangavati, presided over by Judge Sadanand Nagappa Nayak, delivered the verdict against Mallesh alias Handy Mallesh, Sai, and Sharanappa. The court had found them guilty last week and reserved its judgment on the sentence until now.
During the sentencing, the court described the crime as “rarest of the rare.” This decision is significant as it was reached within 11 months of the incident.
The case dates back to March 6, 2025, when the crime occurred near Sanapur Lake and the Tungabhadra Canal, areas under the jurisdiction of the Gangavati rural police station. The incident garnered national attention and led to a decline in foreign tourist numbers at Hampi and nearby attractions like Anjanadri and Sanapur Lake.
According to the prosecution, a local woman running a homestay took her guests—Pankaj from Maharashtra, Bibas from Odisha, American tourist Daniel, and an Israeli woman—to view the stars near the Tungabhadra Canal around 10:30 PM.
During this time, the three accused arrived on a motorcycle and initiated a dispute over money. With the intent to commit sexual assault, they pushed the male tourists into the canal and threw stones to prevent them from escaping.
The prosecution stated that two of the accused raped the Indian homestay operator before collectively assaulting the Israeli woman. One of the male tourists drowned as he could not escape, while the other two managed to survive.
Following the incident, the victims reported the crime to the police in a state of shock. The Gangavati rural police registered the case and initiated an investigation, leading to the arrest of the three accused. After the investigation concluded, a chargesheet was filed in court.
The Karnataka BJP raised concerns about law and order under the Congress government in light of this case. Opposition leader R. Ashok remarked that this incident has left a “permanent black mark” on the image of Hampi, a world-renowned tourist destination, and restoring foreign tourists’ trust could take years. He accused the state government of shifting responsibility onto homestay operators instead of improving law and order. The court’s ruling marks a significant milestone in the legal proceedings of this high-profile case.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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