Seven Men in Custody for Alleged Gang-Rape of Tourist in India: CNN Report
In a shocking incident that has once again highlighted the pervasive issue of sexual violence against women in India, seven men have been taken into custody for the alleged gang-rape of a tourist and assault on her husband. The couple, who were traveling by motorcycle from West Bengal to Nepal, were found by police officers on patrol in Dumka district, Jharkhand state.
The woman, whose identity is protected under Indian law, revealed to doctors at the hospital that she had been raped. The police have formed a special investigative team to handle the case, but it remains unclear whether the suspects have legal representation.
The arrests came after a travel vlogger couple shared their harrowing experience on Instagram. They posted that they had knives held to their throats during the attack in India. The woman, who is Brazilian according to her Instagram page, displayed bruises on her face and expressed her fear of death. In a subsequent post, the couple expressed gratitude for the support they received and stated that the police are actively pursuing the remaining suspects.
India’s National Commission for Women (NCW) has strongly condemned the alleged attack. NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma personally reached out to the victim and offered all necessary assistance. The incident has also garnered attention from Jharkhand minister Mithilesh Kumar Thakur, who referred to it as a “condemnable incident” and assured that the culprits will not go unpunished.
Unfortunately, India has long struggled with high rates of violence against women. Several high-profile rape cases involving foreign visitors have drawn international attention to the issue. In 2018, a British woman was allegedly raped while walking to her hotel in Goa, a popular tourist destination. Two years prior, an American woman was drugged and raped by a group of men in her five-star hotel room in New Delhi. In 2013, six men were sentenced to life in prison for the gang rape of a Swiss tourist.
According to India’s National Crime Records Bureau, a staggering 31,516 rape cases were recorded in 2022 alone, averaging 86 cases per day. However, experts caution that these numbers likely represent only a fraction of the actual incidents due to the shame and stigma associated with reporting rape in a deeply patriarchal society.
The recent incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for India to address the issue of sexual violence against women. It is crucial for the authorities to ensure a thorough investigation, provide support to the victims, and deliver swift justice to the perpetrators. Only through such measures can India hope to create a safer environment for women and tourists alike.
