Death by Hanging: Indian Court Sentences Three to Die for Gang Rape of Israeli Tourist

In a swift and historic judicial ruling, a sessions court in India’s Karnataka state has sentenced three men to death for the brutal gang rape of a 27 year old Israeli tourist and a local woman, as well as the murder of an Indian traveler. The sentencing, which took place on Monday at the Gangavathi District and Sessions Court, follows an ordeal that began in March 2025 near the popular tourist destination of Hampi. The case, which local jurists noted was handled with extraordinary speed, has concluded with the judge categorizing the crime as falling within the "rarest of rare" category. This designation under Indian law is reserved for the most heinous offenses and justifies the use of capital punishment. The ruling brings a sense of grim closure to a tragedy that led to a massive exodus of international backpackers from the region last year.

A Night of Stars Turned to Nightmare

The events of March 6, 2025, started peacefully as five friends, including the Israeli national, a local homestay operator, and three male tourists from various regions, gathered near the Tungabhadra Left Bank Canal in Sanapura. The group was singing, playing guitar, and stargazing just a few kilometers from the Hampi World Heritage site when they were approached by three local men identified as Mallesh, Sai, and Sharanappa. The trio initially demanded a meager sum of roughly 100 rupees, but when the tourists refused to pay, the situation rapidly turned into a scene of extreme violence.

The attackers used overwhelming force to push the three male tourists into the deep and fast flowing canal. While an American traveler and a man from Maharashtra managed to swim to safety, a tourist from Odisha was unable to fight the current and drowned. With the men removed, the three assailants proceeded to commit a brutal gang rape against the 27 year old Israeli woman and the 29 year old local business owner. Despite the severe trauma, the Israeli survivor chose to remain in India for the duration of the trial to provide testimony, a move that legal experts believe was instrumental in securing the swift conviction and the maximum sentence.

The Verdict and its Impact

Judge Sadananda Nagappa Naik presided over the sentencing, listening to final arguments before pronouncing that the three convicts, aged 21, 22, and 27, would be executed by hanging. Beyond the death sentences for murder and rape, the court also imposed heavy penalties for robbery and attempted murder. The judge stated that the nature of the crime and the cold-blooded violence displayed against defenseless visitors necessitated the most severe punishment available to the state.

The case has served as a grim reminder of the risks faced by female travelers in rural parts of the country, but the speed of the trial, concluding in just about a year, is being viewed as a significant step forward for the Indian justice system. In Israel and among the global backpacking community, the verdict is being interpreted as a stern message against sexual violence. While the physical scars of the night near the canal remain, the legal outcome ensures that the perpetrators will face the ultimate consequence for a crime that horrified the world.