MADIKERI/BENGALURU: A US national alleged she was raped at a homestay in Kodagu district’s Kutta last week, in an incident that has cast a shadow over the popular hill station. The survivor said she was served a drink spiked with intoxicants and then assaulted, adding that she could not seek help immediately as the property’s Wi-Fi remained disconnected for three days. A cook, identified as Brijeshkumar from Jharkhand, working at the homestay was arrested over rape charges, while his employer and homestay owner Vishal Ponnana was held for allegedly trying to suppress the crime. Both were remanded in judicial custody till May 3.A top police officer in Bengaluru said medical examination has confirmed rape.
In her complaint, the survivor, a Washington-based solo traveller, alleged she was raped after she slipped into a semi-conscious state upon consuming the spiked drink.She had checked into the homestay on April 12 for her second visit, having stayed there the previous month as well. The incident surfaced after she contacted the US Embassy in New Delhi on April 17. The information was passed on to the Indian govt, which alerted the Karnataka home department, leading to a case being registered on April 19. The survivor alleged the homestay’s Wi-Fi remained disconnected for three days after the incident, preventing her from reaching out for help. She stayed at the property until April 17 before traveling to Mysuru, where she was admitted to a private hospital. “She was not comfortable reporting the incident immediately and approached the police only after leaving Kodagu,” a police officer said. Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara said police acted on communication from the Union home ministry and arrested the accused. “We will check whether the homestay has a license and follows SOPs. If violations are found, legal action will be taken,” he added. Virajpet MLA and chief minister Siddaramaiah’s legal advisor AS Ponnanna said details were being withheld to protect the survivor’s identity and confirmed she had sought privacy until her return to the US. Kodagu district in-charge minister NS Boseraju said he had directed police to conduct a thorough probe. Police said forensic analysis and collection of digital evidence were under way. “We are ensuring a thorough and impartial probe. All angles, including possible complicity, are being examined,” a police officer said. The homestay management said CCTV footage had been shared with the investigators and that bookings had been temporarily put on hold. “The victim alleged she was administered a drink laced with intoxicants, following which, she was assaulted. Based on her complaint and supporting evidence, we have registered a case and taken the accused into custody,” a police officer added. Reacting to the incident, BJP MLC CT Ravi posted on He urged the state government to ensure justice without any delay.
