In a strong and final judgment, a district court in Karnataka’s Koppal on Monday sentenced three young men to death for their role in a brutal crime that shocked the country and deeply affected the heritage region of Hampi. The three local youths, all in their 20s, were found guilty of murdering an Indian tourist, gang-raping a tourist from Israel and an Indian homestay owner, and assaulting and robbing an American tourist in the well-known tourism belt of Hampi in March 2025.

The district court had earlier convicted the accused on February 6 on multiple serious charges, including murder, gang rape, and robbery. After recording the convictions, the court had scheduled further hearings to decide the punishment. The crimes they were convicted for carry the maximum penalty of death.

Before announcing the sentence, the court had asked for detailed background reports on the three accused. These reports included information on their social background, their conduct while in jail, and their psychological condition. The accused were identified as Mallesh alias Handi Malla alias Mallayya, 22, Sai alias Chaitanya Sai alias Saikumar, 21, and Sharanappa alias Sharanabasavaraj, 27. The court examined these reports carefully before deciding on the death penalty.

According to a police officer closely involved in the investigation, the three youths had a previous history of crime. He stated that they acted in an inhuman manner on the night of March 6, 2025, when they suddenly attacked the unsuspecting group of tourists.

The attack took place along the banks of the Tungabhadra River in the scenic Sanapur region of Hampi. Sanapur, located near the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi, is popular among backpackers from India and abroad. The violent crime sent shockwaves across the area and created fear among visitors. Following the incident, there was a noticeable drop in foreign tourist arrivals in the region.

The Karnataka government was forced to act quickly after the crime. Officials pushed for a speedy trial and introduced additional safety measures to restore confidence among tourists. The March 2025 attack occurred when a group of tourists were stargazing and playing music outdoors at night, enjoying what is usually considered a peaceful and safe environment.

Sanapur is known for its low-cost resorts and calm surroundings. Travelers from around the world visit the area for its quiet charm and slow pace of life, set against natural beauty and historic ruins.

On the night of the crime, a group of five people had gathered near the Tungabhadra canal, which lies across the river from the heritage site of Hampi. The group included two foreigners from Israel and the United States, a woman guide who also ran a homestay where the tourists were staying, a young man from Odisha, and another from Maharashtra.

The case was registered at the local police station based on a complaint filed by the 29-year-old Indian woman guide. She reported rape and assault.

Police investigations revealed that the three youths from Koppal came across the group by chance. According to the police, they attacked the group, raped the women, and robbed the victims.

Three male tourists—Daniel Pitas, 23, from the United States; Pankaj Patil, 42, from Nasik, Maharashtra; and Bhibash Kumar Nayak, 26, from Odisha—were pushed into a canal during the assault. The two women—a tourist from Israel and the Indian guide—were gang-raped. Bhibash Kumar Nayak died as a result of the attack. His body was recovered from the canal the following day.

The police registered the case under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. These included section 103 for murder, section 109 for attempt to murder, section 309(6) for robbery and voluntarily causing hurt, section 311 for dacoity, section 64(L) for grievous bodily harm or endangering the life of a woman, and section 70(1) for gang rape.

Court Convicts Three in Hampi Rape and Murder Case

On February 6, the Koppal district court in Gangavathi convicted Mallesh alias Handi Malla alias Mallayya, 22, Sai alias Chaitanya Sai, 21, and Sharanappa alias Sharanabasavaraj, 27, who worked as labourers in Koppal. They were convicted for the murder of Bhibash Kumar Nayak under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). They were also convicted for attempting to murder Daniel Pitas and Pankaj Patil under Section 109, and for robbing the Indian woman guide under section 309(6).

In addition, Mallesh and Chaitanya Sai were convicted for the gang rape and rape of the Indian guide. Chaitanya Sai and Sharanappa were convicted for the gang rape and rape of the Israeli tourist under section 70(1) and section 64(1) of the BNS.

The court further held the accused guilty of causing grievous bodily harm and endangering the lives of both women. They were also convicted of robbing the Indian woman and the American tourist, and of committing dacoity against the US citizen and the man from Maharashtra.

Under the law, the crime of murder carries the death penalty. Gang rape carries a punishment of up to 20 years in prison, while other heinous offences can lead to imprisonment of up to 10 years.

During the sentencing stage, the public prosecutor argued that the crimes “fall under rarest of rare case” because of the “connected offences of two gang rape, two attempt to commit murder with hurt, robbery by causing hurt, grievous bodily harm while committing rape, robbery by attempt to cause death”. Taking this submission into account, the court ordered detailed reports before deciding the final punishment.

The court specifically called for a social investigation report on the “family circumstances, economic condition, education, and community standing of convicts,” a jail conduct report “indicating discipline, behaviour, and attitude of the convicts,” and a psychiatric and psychological report “examining mental stability, emotional control, and scope for reformation of convicts”.

While delivering the conviction order, the Koppal district court also recorded a submission made by Dr Ram L Arasiddi, Superintendent of Police, Koppal. He informed the court “that after the untoward incident at Sanapur, they have increased the number of vehicles for patrolling duty and that Sanapur region North Hampi, is absolutely safe for Indian and foreign visitors”.

The judgment brings legal closure to a case that had shaken the confidence of visitors in one of Karnataka’s most treasured heritage regions.