KOPPAL, India — A district court has sentenced three men to death for their involvement in a brutal attack that included the gang-rape of two women and the murder of a male tourist in a popular heritage site. The incident occurred on March 6, 2025, near the picturesque Sanapur Lake in Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the southern state of Karnataka.
During the chilling assault, the victims — which included an Israeli tourist and her Indian homestay host — were targeted while stargazing and camping. Three assailants, armed with intimidation, demanded money from the group of five tourists. After the initial refusal, violence erupted, with the attackers pushing three male travelers into a nearby canal. While one American tourist managed to escape unharmed, a male tourist from Odisha was later found dead.
Following a six-day trial, the Koppal district court deemed the case to be among the most heinous, categorizing it as “rarest of rare” due to its extreme brutality. In announcing the sentences, the judge emphasized the necessity for severe punishment in order to protect public safety and maintain the rule of law, especially for both local and international tourists who visit the area.
The three convicted men — identified as 22-year-old Mallesh, 21-year-old Sai, and 27-year-old Sharanappa — were found guilty of multiple offenses, including gang-rape and attempted murder. The court’s decision to impose the death penalty was informed by reports on the men’s background, their prior criminal records, and their behavior while incarcerated.
Local police swiftly apprehended the suspects in connection with the attack, terrorism that has reignited fears about the safety of women, particularly foreign tourists, in the region. Hampi draws thousands of visitors annually, many captivated by its stunning ruins that date back to the Vijayanagara empire.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that the attackers displayed inhuman behavior, overwhelming their victims with violence and threats after a minor monetary exchange failed to satisfy their demands. This latest assault continues a troubling trend of violence against tourists in India, raising significant concerns among safety advocates and government officials.
Authorities have recognized the need for immediate action, as similar incidents have occurred recently, including the high-profile rape of a Spanish tourist and the murder of an Irish visitor in Goa last year. These events have intensified scrutiny of law enforcement’s role in protecting both residents and travelers from sexual violence.
According to statistics from the National Crime Records Bureau, India recorded over 31,000 cases of rape in the previous year alone, with many experts believing the true numbers could be much higher due to societal stigmas that discourage reporting such crimes.
As the death sentence awaits confirmation from the Karnataka High Court, the case underscores ongoing challenges in ensuring safety for women in India and the broader implications for tourism in a country striving to present a welcoming image to the world.