US Tourist Allegedly Raped at Kodagu Homestay; Accused, Owner Arrested

Bengaluru: A woman tourist from the United States was allegedly raped at a homestay in Kodagu district, prompting the arrest of the accused and the property owner on charges of attempting to suppress the incident.

The incident reportedly took place about a week ago under the limits of Kutta police station, near Nagarahole National Park. The victim, who was travelling alone and hails from Washington, had been staying at the homestay when a worker, identified as Vrujesh Kumar from Jharkhand, allegedly sexually assaulted her.

Following the incident, the victim approached the Kodagu police to register a complaint through the United States Embassy. Acting on the complaint, police arrested the accused as well as the homestay owner, Vishal Ponnanna. Both have been remanded to judicial custody till May 3.

Kodagu Superintendent of Police Bindu Mani clarified that reports suggesting the victim was drugged were false. “It is false that the woman was drugged before the assault,” she said, adding that the victim had stayed at the homestay for three days.

Reacting to the incident, Karnataka Home Minister Dr G. Parameshwar said that the accused were arrested promptly after the police were informed. He noted that there appeared to have been attempts to cover up the incident, but police acted swiftly to secure the accused and gather evidence.

He also stressed that strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are in place for operating homestays and warned that legal action would be taken against those violating these norms.