Karnataka Hampi Foreign Tourist Gang Rape and Murder Case

On the evening of March 6, 2024, three men attacked a group of tourists near Sanapur Lake in Hampi, Karnataka. The assailants gang-raped a 27-year-old Israeli female tourist and a 29-year-old local homestay owner. They then pushed three male companions into the Tungabhadra canal. An American tourist drowned, an Indian man survived, and a third managed to escape. The incident caused international outcry. Karnataka Police swiftly arrested Shambu, Sai Krishna, and Madesh. The case was fast-tracked, and in January 2025, a special court convicted all three on charges of gang rape, murder, and robbery, sentencing them to death.

In January 2025, the Karnataka Fast Track Court convicted all three accused and sentenced them to death for gang rape and murder.

Delayed police response and prior complaints against the perpetrators in the area; the adequacy of safety measures for foreign tourists at remote heritage sites; calls for fast-track courts and stricter punishments for sexual violence.

The brutal crime sparked massive protests across India and drew condemnation from Israel and the United States. It severely dented India's image as a safe tourist destination, leading to heightened security advisories and renewed debates on women's safety and law enforcement accountability.