Three men have received the death penalty for their involvement in the gang rape of two women and the murder of a man near Hampi, India. The verdict was delivered by the Gangavathi First Additional District and Sessions Court on February 6, 2025, with sentencing finalized on February 16, 2025, under the authority of Judge Sadananda Nagappa Naik. The convicted individuals, identified as Mallesh alias Handimall, Sai, and Sharanappa, were found guilty of a brutal attack on a group of tourists during a stargazing event at Sanapur Lake, approximately 4 kilometers from the UNESCO World Heritage Site, in March 2025.
The victims included travelers from the United States, Odisha, and Maharashtra, as well as a 27-year-old Israeli woman and a 29-year-old homestay owner. During the incident, the assailants confronted the group while they were observing the night sky along the Tungabhadra Canal. Following their assault, they forced the male tourists into the water, resulting in the drowning of one victim, identified as Nayak.
The court had requested detailed reports on the mental state, prison behavior, and social history of the convicted men before imposing the sentence. Prosecutors argued that the heinous nature of the crimes met the criteria for a “rarest of rare” category, given the combination of murder, sexual violence, and armed robbery involved.
Charges against the defendants included murder, attempted murder, gang rape, grievous bodily harm, and robbery, according to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The legal repercussions for these offenses are severe, with murder punishable by death, gang rape potentially resulting in a sentence of up to 20 years, and additional offenses carrying sentences of up to 10 years.
The attack significantly impacted international tourism in Hampi, prompting the Karnataka government to enhance safety measures for visitors. Authorities have increased patrols and reassured travelers that Hampi remains a safe destination.
Witness reports indicated that the attackers arrived on a motorbike, initially asking for directions before demanding cash. After being refused, they forced several male tourists into the Tungabhadra Canal and assaulted the group. Both the Israeli woman and the homestay owner were victims of sexual violence during the incident, while the assailants stole cash and mobile devices before escaping.
Two male tourists managed to swim to safety and received medical attention, but tragically, one tourist from Odisha drowned. His body was recovered the following morning, leading to murder charges being filed against the attackers. Law enforcement began an extensive search for the suspects immediately after the crime, apprehending them within days.
The trial concluded with the death penalty being imposed less than a year after the assault, reflecting the judicial system’s commitment to addressing such violent crimes. The incident has drawn strong condemnation from political leaders and raised serious concerns regarding the safety of tourists at historical sites in India.
