Fri Mar 14 23:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Tourist Murdered, Women Raped Near Hampi: Three Arrested

**Hampi, Karnataka, March 15, 2025** – A tragic incident near the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi has sent shockwaves through the tourist destination. Bibhas Nayak, a 29-year-old Indian tourist, was killed and two foreign women were gang-raped during a stargazing trip on March 6th. Three men have been arrested in connection with the crime.

Nayak, a freelancer and avid traveler, was visiting Hampi with a group of friends including tourists from the U.S. and Israel. According to police reports, the group was attacked by three men who demanded money. When Nayak and his friends intervened to protect the women, they were assaulted and pushed into a canal. Nayak, despite being a strong swimmer, succumbed to a head injury. The attackers then allegedly gang-raped the two women.

The three perpetrators, identified as Mallesh Dasara (22), Chetan Sai (21), and Sharanabasavaraj (30), were apprehended after a police investigation involving CCTV footage and mobile phone tracking. Sharanabasavaraj was arrested in Chennai after a chase across several states. The arrested men reportedly admitted to the crime, though investigations into their criminal backgrounds are ongoing.

The incident has raised concerns about tourist safety in the area. While local officials maintain that violent crime is rare in Hampi, the attack has led to a significant drop in tourism, particularly from foreign visitors. Authorities have responded by issuing new guidelines mandating that homestays and resorts obtain police or forest department permission before taking tourists to remote locations at night. This move has been met with mixed reactions from homestay owners.

Nayak’s death has been widely mourned, with his family and friends remembering him as a kind and selfless individual who died protecting others. The attack has cast a shadow over Hampi, raising questions about the safety and security measures in place for tourists and the need for improved infrastructure and law enforcement in the area.

Read More