Gangavathi Court Delivers Verdict in Gruesome Hampi Tourist Attack Case
The Additional District and Sessions Court in Gangavathi, Koppal district, delivered a landmark verdict on Thursday, convicting all three accused individuals involved in the horrific rape and murder case that targeted foreign tourists and Indian citizens near the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi. The court has scheduled the pronouncement of the quantum of punishment for February 16, marking a critical juncture in a case that has drawn national and international attention.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The brutal crime unfolded on the night of March 6, 2023, near Sanapur Lake in Gangavathi taluk, approximately 25 kilometers from Hampi. According to detailed police reports, the victims—comprising two women and three men who had met at a local homestay—were engaged in stargazing by the Tungabhadra Left Bank Canal when the three suspects, allegedly under the influence of intoxication, approached them demanding money.
Initially, the tourists handed over Rs 20, but when the assailants escalated their demand to Rs 100, the group refused. This refusal triggered a violent confrontation that rapidly spiraled out of control. During the ensuing chaos, the 29-year-old homestay owner and a 27-year-old Israeli woman were subjected to rape by the attackers.
Fatal Assault and Robbery
As the three male victims attempted to intervene and protect the women, the situation turned deadly. Bibash Nayak, a 26-year-old tour guide hailing from Odisha, was forcefully pushed into the canal, resulting in his tragic death. The other two men—Daniel Pitas, a 23-year-old tourist from the United States, and Pankaj Amrit Rao Patil, a 43-year-old resident of Nashik—were brutally assaulted and sustained serious injuries.
In addition to the physical violence, the perpetrators robbed the group of two mobile phones and Rs 9,500 in cash before fleeing the scene. The survivors endured approximately three hours of terror before they could finally reach the Gangavathi rural police station to report the heinous crime, initiating a formal investigation.
Investigation and Arrests
The incident provoked widespread outrage across the region and dealt a severe blow to the area's reputation as a safe and welcoming tourist destination, given its proximity to the historically significant Hampi. In response, the Gangavathi rural police launched an intensive investigation, leading to the swift arrest of the three accused individuals.
A chargesheet was subsequently filed against the perpetrators: Mallesh alias Handimalla (22 years old), Sai alias Chetan Sairam (21 years old), and Sharanappa (30 years old). The court's conviction of all three men comes exactly 11 months after the crime was committed, underscoring the judicial process's timeline.
Legal Proceedings and Confirmation
Manjunath T, the advocate representing the accused, confirmed that the court found all three men guilty of the charges leveled against them. This conviction represents a significant step toward justice for the victims and their families, who have awaited closure since the traumatic event.
The case has highlighted critical issues regarding tourist safety in popular heritage locations and has prompted discussions on enhancing security measures in such areas. As the court prepares to announce the sentences on February 16, the legal outcome is being closely monitored by advocacy groups, tourism stakeholders, and the public alike.
