NEW DELHI: Karnataka Police on Monday arrested the third accused in the Hampi rape case, officials confirmed. The accused, identified as 27-year-old Saranabasava, a carpenter, had been on the run since the incident. He was apprehended by Gangavathi Rural Police from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and has been brought back to Karnataka.
Superintendent of police (SP) Ram Arasiddi stated that the accused could be taken into police custody if necessary. “As I had mentioned earlier, we have taken this incident very seriously and had formed multiple teams for the investigation. We visited the crime scene and, with the help of technical inputs, arrested two suspects earlier. The third accused, Saranabasava, who was absconding, has now been arrested in Chennai. All legal procedures will be completed today, and if needed, we will seek his police custody as well,” Arasiddi told the media.
Following the incident, the police have intensified security measures and increased patrolling in the region. “We have heightened night patrols and are inspecting resorts regularly. We are also using NDPS kits during checks and have booked ten cases in the past three months. These surprise inspections will continue, and any violations will be strictly dealt with,” the SP added.
The crime occurred on the night of March 6 near the Hampi heritage site in Karnataka’s Vijayanagara district. According to the police, two women, including an Israeli national, were allegedly raped by three men, while a male tourist accompanying them was later found dead.
As per the investigation, a group of five—comprising a 29-year-old homestay operator, three male tourists, and an Israeli tourist—had gone to the Tungabhadra Canal near Sanapur Lake for stargazing. While they were playing the guitar and enjoying the night, three men arrived on a motorcycle at around 10.30pm and asked where they could find petrol.
The homestay operator informed them that there was no petrol station nearby and suggested they check in Sanapur. One of the men then suddenly demanded Rs 100. “I told them I didn’t have any money, but as they kept insisting, one of the male tourists gave them Rs 20,” the complainant stated.
However, the suspects became aggressive when they were refused more money.
They started arguing and threatening the group with stones. The situation escalated when two of the accused assaulted and raped the homestay operator and the Israeli tourist, while the third suspect pushed the male tourists into the water canal.
The FIR details harrowing accounts of the assault. The homestay operator stated that two men dragged her away, strangled her, and then raped her one after another. “I was bleeding heavily. They hit me with stones and snatched my bag, taking two mobile phones and Rs 9,500 in cash,” she alleged.
Similarly, one of the accused forcibly took the Israeli tourist away and raped her. “We were screaming and crying, but the three men fled on their motorcycle,” she said in her complaint. The victims also noted that the attackers spoke Kannada and Telugu and that they might be able to identify them.
Following the complaint, a case was registered at Gangavathi Rural Police Station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, including charges of attempted murder, robbery, and rape.
SP Arasiddi confirmed that two of the accused, Sai Mallu and Chethan Sai, were earlier arrested from Gangavathi. “On March 6, five people—two women and three men—were attacked by three assailants. The attackers assaulted the three men and sexually assaulted the two women. We had arrested two suspects earlier, and now, with the arrest of the third accused, the case is progressing,” he said.
Police continue to investigate the case and are taking further steps to ensure justice for the victims.
(The victim’s identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)