Karnataka court convicts three men for tourist gangrape and murder

In a major verdict in a shocking crime that had raised concerns over tourist safety near Hampi , a court in Karnataka’s Koppal district has convicted three men for the gangrape of two women, including a foreign national, and the murder of a male tourist .

The court held Mallesh, Sai, and Sharanappa guilty under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) , including gangrape, rape, murder, attempt to murder, and robbery. The accused were physically produced before the court.

The next hearing has been scheduled for February 16 , when the court will pronounce the sentence after hearing the convicts.

The incident took place on the night of March 6, 2025 , near the Tungabhadra Left Bank Canal in Sanapura, close to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi, a popular destination for both Indian and international travellers.

According to the police investigation, the three men allegedly approached a group comprising an Israeli tourist, a local homestay operator, and three male companions, demanding money. When the group refused, the accused reportedly turned violent, pushing the three men into the canal and sexually assaulting the two women.

While two of the men managed to swim to safety, a tourist from Odisha drowned in the canal, leading to the murder charge.

The case had sparked widespread outrage and renewed debate over law and order and the safety of visitors at major heritage destinations. With the conviction secured, officials said the verdict sends a strong message against crimes targeting tourists.