KUTTA, India: A female tourist from the United States has come forward with deeply disturbing allegations of being drugged, sexually assaulted, and illegally held against her will at a homestay facility in Karnataka, a southern state of India. The case has sent shockwaves through the country and reignited urgent conversations about the safety and security of foreign tourists, particularly women, travelling across India.
Illegal confinement and cover-up
According to police officials in Kodagu district, the incident took place on April 12 in Kutta village, a rural area within the region. Two individuals have since been arrested in connection with the case an employee of the homestay and the property’s owner.
Both men are now in police custody as investigators continue to piece together the full sequence of events surrounding the assault and its troubling aftermath.
The American woman had arrived at the homestay intending to spend three days there. Investigators allege that the employee, identified as a resident of the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, tampered with the victim’s drink by mixing intoxicants into it. The woman allegedly lost consciousness as a result, during which time the assault took place. Upon regaining her senses, she reportedly confronted the owner of the homestay and disclosed what had happened to her.
Rather than offering support or assisting her in contacting law enforcement, the owner allegedly attempted to silence her. According to police, he urged the victim not to report the crime, citing concerns about damage to his business and personal reputation. He reportedly offered to waive her accommodation charges as an incentive to keep the matter quiet.
When the woman refused to comply and indicated her intention to report the assault, the situation escalated dramatically. The owner allegedly confiscated her mobile phone, effectively cutting off her means of communication, and confined her inside a room for three days. During this period, investigators found preliminary evidence suggesting that her access to Wi-Fi was deliberately disabled, further isolating her from any outside help.
“The role of the homestay owner is under investigation. Prima facie, there is evidence to suggest that he tried to restrict the victim’s communication,” a police officer told local media. The victim was eventually released only after she reportedly gave the owner assurances that she would not go public with what had happened.
US Embassy contact
Following her release, the woman made her way to the city of Mysuru, where she took the significant step of contacting the United States Embassy in India. Embassy officials subsequently communicated the details of the incident to Indian authorities, prompting the formal registration of the case and the deployment of investigation teams. “Acting on communication from US embassy authorities, we initiated formal proceedings. The case was registered promptly,” police confirmed.
Kodagu Superintendent of Police B. Indumani officially confirmed that the assault occurred on April 12, and authorities have stated that the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Concerns over safety of foreign tourists
The case has cast a harsh spotlight on a problem that has long plagued India’s tourism landscape the safety of foreign visitors, especially women travelling alone or in small groups. International travel advisories, including those issued by the United Kingdom, have repeatedly cautioned women travellers about the risks of physical harassment and more serious crimes while visiting India, even in well-frequented tourist areas.
This is far from an isolated incident. In February 2026, a foreign female traveller reported being sexually harassed by two men in Mumbai. Going further back, a Danish tourist was gang-raped near New Delhi in 2014 after being led to an isolated location under false pretences.
In 2017, a Swiss couple was violently attacked by a group of men near the historic site of Fatehpur Sikri. Numerous other cases involving harassment, fraud, and inappropriate conduct targeting international visitors have been documented over the years, collectively painting a troubling picture that continues to undermine India’s image as a safe destination for global travellers.
Authorities have assured the public that the current case is being handled with the utmost seriousness, and both accused remain in custody pending further legal proceedings.
