Third suspect in Hampi rape-murder case apprehended in Tamil Nadu
What's the story
In a major breakthrough, the Karnataka police have arrested the third suspect in the Hampi rape-murder case.
The accused was nabbed during an inter-state operation on Sunday, March 9, from a hideout in Tamil Nadu.
The accused, identified as Sharanappa, is being taken to Karnataka for further interrogation.
This comes after the arrest of two other suspects, Mallesh alias Handi Mallesh (22) and Chetan Sai Sillekyatar (21), on Saturday.
Incident details
The crime and subsequent arrests
The horrific incident happened on Thursday night, when a five-member group, including a 27-year-old Israeli tourist and her female homestay host, were stargazing at Sanapur Lake near Hampi.
Three men allegedly attacked them, sexually assaulting the women while the men were pushed into a Tungabhadra canal.
Police said two men swam to safety, but Odisha resident Bibhas Nayak went missing, and his body was recovered on Saturday.
Public outrage
Community response and government action
The brutal attack has triggered widespread outrage and raised concerns over the safety of tourists in Hampi.
Nayak, the deceased victim, was buried in his home village, Derabadi, in Kandhamal district after Koppal police handed over his body to his family.
Karnataka's Home Minister G Parameshwara has assured that security at tourist destinations will be significantly strengthened following this incident.
The two men arrested earlier were taken to the crime scene on Sunday for a reconstruction of events.