Gangavathi (Koppal District): A horrifying chapter has unfolded in Gangavathi of Karanataka following the discovery of the body of Bibash, a 42-year-old man from Odisha, who had gone missing after a night of violence that left several individuals traumatised. The body was recovered on the morning of March 8 near the power generation unit in Mallapur, just a stone’s throw away from the Tungabhadra River, and was extricated with the support of local fire department personnel, police, and community volunteers. Authorities indicated that the body would be handed over to Bibash’s family after an official postmortem examination.
🚨 Shocking 📍Karnataka
Two women gang-raped near Hampi.
A 27-year-old Israeli tourist and a 29-year-old homestay owner.Three male companions were also assaulted and later thrown into a canal. Two survived, while the man from Odisha died. pic.twitter.com/q54Yh84BoT
— Shashank Shekhar Jha (@shashank_ssj) March 8, 2025
According to police reports, Bibash had traveled to the scenic area near Sanapur Lake, a popular tourist destination, along with a group that included American tourist Daniel, an Israeli woman and a local woman, Pankaj Patel a homestay owner from Nashik, Maharashtra. The group had gathered on the night of March 7 to enjoy the serene beauty of the countryside while playing guitars and enjoying each other’s company under the starry sky. However, the peaceful night turned into a nightmare when three unidentified assailants launched a violent attack on them around midnight.
Eyewitness accounts and police investigations reveal that the three men, who arrived on motorcycles, initially approached the group under the pretense of needing assistance to fill petrol in their vehicle. However, their intentions quickly shifted as they demanded money from the group. When the members refused to comply, the situation escalated dramatically. The assailants reportedly verbally abused the victims, leading to a violent confrontation.
In the chaos, two women—a 27-year-old Israeli tourist and a 29-year-old local homestay owner—were subjected to horrific sexual violence. They were later reported to have undergone medical examinations to gather evidence for their case. Understanding the severity of the complaints, the police have registered an FIR under multiple charges, including rape, gang rape, and attempted murder.
The fate of Bibash took a tragic turn when he was forcibly pushed into the nearby Tungabhadra Left Bank Canal during the confrontation. Despite an extensive search operation on Friday that included local authorities and community members, there was no trace of him until his body was discovered the following morning. Fortunately, Daniel and Pankaj, who were also pushed into the canal, managed to swim to safety and call for help.
Koppal District Superintendent of Police Ram L Arasiddhi addressed the media, told police teams swung into action to nab miscreants nad two of them have been arrested. He confirmed the identification of the accused and a significant lead in the investigation had been established regarding the assailants.
Police have arrested two youths—Mallesh A Dasara alias Handimalla (22), and Chetan Sai (21)—in this regard. Koppal Superintended of police Ram L Arasiddi said the two have confessed to the crime of gang raping the two women.
#Hampi gangrape case:
Out of the 3accused we have arrested 2 & efforts are being taken to nab the 3rd suspect in the case The arrested accused have been identified as Mallesh & Chetan Sai Both aged 21 years hail from Sai Nagara in Gangavathi town & work as masons – @Koppal_Police pic.twitter.com/Hs03sDnbtx— Ballari Tweetz (@TweetzBallari) March 8, 2025
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and raised concerns about safety in the region, particularly when it comes to protecting tourists. Superintendent Arasiddhi emphasised the importance of enhancing security measures in tourist areas to prevent such incidents in the future. “It is crucial for both residents and tourists to feel safe, and we are taking all necessary actions to achieve that,” he said.
Local residents who frequented the Sanapur Lake area have expressed their disbelief and outrage at the violent act. Many are calling for increased police presence and community patrols to deter criminal activities. “This kind of violence should not happen, especially in a place known for its beauty and hospitality. We must come together as a community to ensure everyone’s safety,” commented a villager.
