Sat Feb 07 04:16:46 UTC 2026: ### Hampi Gang Rape and Murder Case: All Accused Convicted

The Story:
On February 7, 2026, the First Additional District and Sessions Court in Gangavathi, Koppal district, convicted all three accused in the high-profile Hampi gang rape and murder case. The case, which involved the brutal sexual assault of two women, including a foreign tourist, and the murder of an Indian male tourist near the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Hampi, India, in March 2025, had garnered significant national and international attention. Mallesh alias Handi Malla alias Mallayya (22), Sai alias Chaitannay Sai alias Saikumar (21) and Sharanappa alias Sharanabasavaraj (27) were found guilty of murder, gang rape, rape, attempt to murder, and robbery.

The court convicted the accused under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, specifically Section 103(1) for murder and Section 109(1) for attempt to murder. The sentencing is scheduled for February 16, 2026.

Key Points:

  • The incident occurred on the night of March 6, 2025, near the Tungabhadra Left Bank Canal in the Sanapura area, close to Hampi.
  • Bibhas Kumar Nayak, a tourist from Odisha, was murdered.
  • Two women, one Indian and one Israeli, were victims of gang rape and rape.
  • Two male tourists, one from Maharashtra and one from the U.S., were victims of attempted murder and suffered injuries.
  • The accused were convicted under various sections of the BNS, 2023, related to murder, rape, attempt to murder, and robbery.
  • The Public Prosecutor described the crime as “rarest of rare” and sought appropriate sentencing.

Key Takeaways:

  • The conviction of all three accused provides a measure of justice for the victims and their families.
  • The case highlights the importance of tourist safety, particularly in and around heritage zones.
  • The use of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, reflects the implementation of new criminal laws in India.

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