Karnataka Police have arrested two suspects after two women, including an Israeli tourist, were allegedly gang-raped and three male tourists were assaulted and pushed into a canal, resulting in the death of one of them, near Hampi.
"Out of the three accused, we have arrested two and efforts are being taken to nab the third suspect in the case," Koppal Superintendent of Police Ram L. Arasiddi said.
The arrested accused have been identified as Mallesh and Chetan Sai who both hail from Sai Nagara in Gangavathi town. According to police, they were working as masons.
The incident has stirred up a political storm with the BJP targeting the Siddaramaiah government over the law and order situation in the state.
"It is deeply disturbing to hear about the horrific rape of two women, a foreign national and a homestay owner reportedly from Koppal district, near the Tungabhadra canal," BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra wrote on X.
"Criminals now act with impunity, unafraid of consequences, even in the immediate aftermath of Hampi Utsava, a festival that honors the grand legacy of the Vijayanagara Empire. The stark contrast between the state's glorious past and its present lawlessness is truly disheartening," he said.
The BJP leader alleged that Home Minister G. Parameshwara, along with the rest of the cabinet, seems more preoccupied with hosting dinner parties than ensuring the security of citizens.
"Even as crimes against women continue to rise across Karnataka, the government remains delusional and indifferent to the pain and suffering of its people. This administration is proving to be a curse on Karnataka," Vijayendra said.
The incident reportedly occurred around 11 pm on Thursday when the Israeli tourist, along with the three male tourists and their homestay operator, were sitting by the left bank of the Tungabhadra Canal near Sanapur Lake.
Among the male tourists, one was from the United States while the other two were from Odisha and Maharashtra.
The homestay operator, in her complaint, alleged that three men on a motorcycle approached them and demanded money. When they refused to pay, the accused assaulted the male tourists, pushed them into the canal and gang-raped her and the Israeli woman.
Of the three male tourists, two sustained injuries and one went missing, whose body was recovered on Saturday morning.