India: Death penalty for the 3 men who raped an Israeli woman and murdered a tourist

A court in India today (Monday) sentenced three men who murdered a tourist and raped two women, one of them Israeli, to death. The affair caused a heavy shock throughout India and drew widespread condemnation.

According to reports in India, the three men, Malesh, Sai and Sharanappa, were tried in a court in Koppal district in the state of Karnataka. They were convicted of rape and murder. The judges determined that this is one of the most serious cases, justifying the maximum penalty.

The serious incident took place on the night of March 6, 2025, near the left bank canal of Tungabhadra, in the Hampi area popular with travelers. According to the information provided by the police, the three attackers approached the two women, the Israeli tourist and a guest house operator, and three other friends who were traveling with them and demanded money.

After the group refused the demand, the three attacked the travelers. They pushed the three men into a ditch and then sexually assaulted the two women. Two of the men managed to get out of the water and swim to safety, but another tourist, from the state of Odisha, drowned in the canal.

The judge noted in his decision the seriousness of the acts, the combination of severe violence, rape and murder, and the circumstances in which they were committed. He said that this was an “extreme case” and therefore sentenced the three attackers to death.