US Tourist Rape Case: Karnataka Govt Cancels Homestay Licence; Jharkhand Native Arrested

Bengaluru (IANS): The Karnataka Tourism Department on Thursday cancelled the licence of a Madikeri homestay following the sexual assault of an American tourist by a staff member from Jharkhand. Authorities shut down the “Devi Villa” homestay in Kutta village, citing a gross failure to ensure guest safety and the owner’s alleged involvement in covering up the crime.

Details of the Assault

The woman, a traveller from Washington, was staying at the villa when the cook, identified as Vrijesh Kumar (a native of Jharkhand), allegedly spiked a sweet drink with an intoxicating substance. According to the complaint, Kumar sexually assaulted the tourist after she lost consciousness.

Allegations of a Cover-Up

The investigation revealed that the homestay owner, Vishal, tried to suppress the incident. Allegations suggest that after the assault, Vishal disabled the property’s Wi-Fi for three days to prevent the victim from contacting the American Embassy or local authorities.

The victim eventually escaped by telling her captors she was traveling to Mysuru. Once there, she immediately contacted the American Embassy, which prompted the Ministry of External Affairs and local police to initiate a criminal case.

Police Action and Judicial Custody

Police have arrested both the Jharkhand native, Vrijesh Kumar, and the owner, Vishal. A local court has remanded both men to judicial custody until May 3.

Following the outrage, officials from the Ministry of External Affairs visited Kodagu on Tuesday to oversee the progress of the investigation. The Tourism Department noted that the establishment had only received its licence in January 2024, but violated all safety Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Government Response

Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara addressed the media on Wednesday, confirming that attempts to hush up the case were foiled by swift police intervention once the report reached Mysuru.

“Such incidents reflect poorly on our state and Indian society, especially when they involve foreign nationals,” Parameshwara stated. He emphasized that the government has issued strict instructions to the district administration to enforce safety regulations across all homestays in the region.