– Zaina Aman
Near Hampi, two women, including a 27-year-old Israeli tourist, were gang-raped while stargazing near the Tungabhadra Canal. Three male tourists with them were attacked and pushed into the canal, killing one.
The incident occurred on March 6 around 11 PM near Sanapur Lake. A 29-year-old Karnataka homestay operator, the Israeli tourist, and three men—a US national, and two from Odisha and Maharashtra—were playing music when three bikers approached, asking for petrol.
The victims said no petrol was available. The attackers demanded Rs 100, but they refused, offering Rs 20. This angered the men, who began abusing them. Speaking in Kannada and Telugu, the accused assaulted the women and raped them. They also pushed the male tourists into the canal, where one drowned.
The culprits stole Rs 9,500 and two phones before escaping. The injured women are now receiving treatment.
A case was filed at Gangavathi Rural Police Station under multiple charges, including gang rape, extortion, dacoity, and attempted murder. Police arrested all three accused—Mallesh (22) and Chetan Sai (21) from Gangavathi on March 8, while Sarana Basava (27) was caught in Tamil Nadu.
After the crime, Hindutva social media accounts spread false claims linking it to Indian Muslims and the Israel-Palestine conflict. Right-wing influencers highlighted the Israeli victim, falsely suggesting “revenge” by pro-Palestinian elements.
A viral post by Hindutva influencer “MrSinha” claimed, “Since an Israeli national is involved, pro-Palestinian elements can’t be ruled out.” This was widely shared, with demands for a CBI probe and crackdowns on Muslims. Some falsely claimed Islam supports such crimes.
Koppal Police confirmed the accused were locals with no religious or political ties. They urged people to stop spreading misinformation and assured a fair investigation.
The brutal attack has sparked public outrage, with calls for swift and strict action against the culprits.
