NEW DELHI: An American tourist was allegedly sexually assaulted at a private homestay in Karnataka’s Kodagu district. Police have arrested two men and launched a detailed probe into the incident.
The case has raised fresh questions over safety at homestays and the enforcement of regulations, with Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara indicating that there were attempts to suppress the matter before police stepped in.
What happened at the Kodagu homestay
Police said the woman had checked into a homestay in Kutta village in Coorg’s Virajpet Assembly constituency on Sunday (April 19). The main accused, identified as Vrujesh Kumar, a native of Jharkhand, allegedly spiked her drink before sexually assaulting her.
Following her complaint, a case was registered at the Kutta Police Station, and the accused was arrested. The homestay owner, Vishal, has also been taken into custody.
Investigators suspect the owner attempted to prevent the victim from seeking help. “Prima facie evidence suggested that the owner attempted to cut off the victim’s connection to the outside world. His role is being investigated, and he has been arrested,” a police officer told local media.
Sources said the Wi-Fi at the property was deliberately switched off for three days, leaving the woman unable to contact anyone.
How the victim managed to escape
Police said the woman managed to leave the homestay after telling the owner she was heading to Mysuru. Once out, she contacted officials at the United States embassy and the Mysuru police via email.
Following this, local police, in coordination with embassy officials, formed a special team to investigate the case. Both the accused have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody until May 3.
Officials from the Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi and Chennai are also in touch with local authorities to review the situation and coordinate further action.
‘Attempts to cover it up were foiled’: Minister
Responding to the development, Home Minister G Parameshwara said, “As soon as the matter came to light, the police arrested the accused. Further action will be taken as per the law.”
He added, “It appears that after the incident, there were attempts to cover it up. But once the police received information, they acted promptly and gathered details.”
The minister also underlined the need for strict compliance with norms. “Action must be taken accordingly. Whoever is running such establishments as homestays must have proper licensing. We have already laid down SOPs on what needs to be followed to operate a homestay. If such incidents occur in violation of those norms, legal action must be taken,” he said.
“Such incidents do not send a good message about the state or society. Especially when outsiders or foreigners are involved, it reflects on our society and our country. That is why strict action is necessary, and we are taking it,” he added.
Past incident underscores safety concerns
The case has drawn comparisons with a 2023 incident in Karnataka’s Hampi region, where a group of tourists, including an Israeli woman, was attacked while stargazing near the Tungabhadra canal.
In that case, male tourists were assaulted and pushed into the canal, while two women were allegedly gang-raped. The accused were later arrested and charged under multiple IPC sections, including gang rape and attempt to murder. A court later awarded the death penalty to three convicts. - The Statesman/ANN
