American Tourist Allegedly Sexually Assaulted at Kodagu Homestay; Staffer, Owner Arrested
Kodagu: A shocking case of alleged sexual assault involving a foreign tourist has been reported from a homestay in Kodagu district of Karnataka, raising serious concerns over tourist safety.
According to preliminary information, a woman tourist from Washington, USA, was allegedly sexually assaulted at a homestay identified as “Devi Villa” located in Kutta village of Ponnampet taluk on April 19.
Police have arrested the accused, identified as Brijesh Kumar, a staff member working at the homestay and a native of Jharkhand. The owner of the homestay, Vishal, has also been taken into custody for allegedly attempting to suppress the incident and failing to report the matter promptly.
Sources indicate that there may have been attempts to delay reporting the crime, with allegations that communication access was restricted. The victim reportedly managed to leave the premises and later approached authorities in Mysuru, where she contacted officials linked to the US diplomatic mission.
Following medical examination at a private hospital in Mysuru, the case came to light, and an FIR has been registered at Kutta Police Station in Kodagu district.
The incident has sparked concerns about safety standards at homestays in popular tourist regions like Kodagu, which frequently host international visitors.
Police investigation is ongoing, and officials are working to establish the full sequence of events and any possible lapses in protocol.
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