Death penalty for three in Israel tourist, home stay owner gang rape & killing of Odia youth in Karnataka

In a major development, the Koppal Sessions Court in Karnataka on Tuesday sentenced three men to death in connection with the Hampi gang rape and murder case involving an Odia tourist.

The court termed the crime as falling under the “rarest of rare” category while delivering its verdict.

Convicts Awarded Capital Punishment

The three convicts, Mallesh alias Handimalla, Sai, and Sharanappa, were found guilty of gang raping two women and murdering a male tourist from Odisha during the incident. The court held them responsible for the brutal assault and subsequent killing.

Crime Took Place in March 2025

The crime occurred on March 6, 2025, when a group of five people, including a female tourist from Israel and a local homestay owner, had gone near the Tungabhadra canal close to Hampi for stargazing.

According to the prosecution, the accused attacked the group, sexually assaulted two women, and pushed three men into the canal. While two of the men managed to swim back to safety, an Odia tourist, identified as Bibash Kumar, drowned.

Incident Sparked Nationwide Outrage

The case was registered at the Gangavathi Rural Police Station near the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi and had drawn widespread national attention due to the brutality of the crime.

Police arrested the accused shortly after the incident. Medical examinations confirmed sexual assault, and the survivors were provided treatment at a hospital.

With the pronouncement of the death sentence, the court brought a significant legal closure to one of the most shocking crimes reported in the region.