A sessions court in Karnataka has sentenced three men to death in connection with the gang rape of an Israeli tourist and the murder of a male tourist near Hampi last year.
The incident occurred on March 6, 2025, when a 26-year-old Israeli woman and her 28-year-old female tour guide were allegedly gang-raped while visiting Hampi in Koppal district. During the assault, a tourist from Odisha, identified as Bipash Kumar, was killed when he attempted to intervene.
The Koppal police arrested three accused — Sai (27), Mallesh (26) and Saranappa (27) — in connection with the crime. The trial was conducted over the past 11 months before the Principal District and Sessions Court in Gangavathi.
On February 6, Principal District and Sessions Judge Sadananda Nagappa Nayak found the trio guilty of gang rape, murder and theft. Pronouncing the sentence, the court on Monday awarded capital punishment to all three convicts under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The case had triggered national outrage and raised serious concerns over the safety of tourists visiting heritage destinations in the State.
