Published: 20 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online
A court in southern India has handed down the death penalty to three men convicted of a brutal attack last year that saw an Israeli tourist and her Indian homestay host raped and a male tourist killed, judicial and media sources report. The verdict highlights both the severity of the crime and mounting public concern over the safety of travellers in one of the country’s most popular heritage tourism regions.
The First Additional District and Sessions Court in Koppal, Karnataka, delivered the death sentences on Monday after finding the three accused guilty of murder, gang rape, attempted murder, robbery and other offences stemming from the violent incident on 6 March 2025 near Sanapur Lake close to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi. Judges described the offence as falling into the legal “rarest of rare” category, warranting the harshest punishment available under Indian law.
According to court documents and prosecution statements, a group of five tourists — including a 27‑year‑old Israeli woman, a 29‑year‑old Indian homestay host, an American man and two other male travellers — were stargazing by the Tungabhadra canal when they were accosted by three men on a motorcycle. After a brief confrontation, the assailants pushed the three male tourists into the canal; one, an Indian visitor from Odisha, later drowned. The attackers then subjected the two women to repeated sexual assaults before fleeing the scene.
The three convicted men — Mallesh alias Handi Malla (22), Sai alias Chaitanya Sai (21) and Sharanappa alias Sharanabasavaraj (27) — were arrested shortly after the attack and stood trial over the subsequent months. In addition to the death penalty for the murder charge, the court imposed life imprisonment terms and additional sentences for the related offences. The conviction and sentencing reflect India’s stringent judicial approach to violent crimes, especially those affecting both domestic citizens and foreign nationals.
Legal experts note that the sentence must still be ratified by the Karnataka High Court, and the convicts retain the right to appeal, meaning the executions are not imminent. India imposes capital punishment by hanging, but executions are uncommon and typically follow exhaustive legal review.
The case drew widespread national and international attention when it first came to light, renewing debates about women’s safety and visitor protection at tourist sites across India and prompting authorities to reaffirm commitments to bolster security in popular destinations.

























































































