US woman sexually assaulted at Karnataka homestay, two arrested

A woman from the United States has alleged that she was sexually assaulted at a homestay in Karnataka’s Kodagu district, prompting the arrest of two individuals, including a staff member and the property owner.

According to police, the incident took place in Kutta village, a tourist area in Kodagu. The accused, identified as a homestay worker from Jharkhand, has been charged with raping the woman during her stay at the property.

Authorities said the homestay owner has also been booked for attempting to suppress the incident. He allegedly cut off WiFi services at the property for nearly three days, restricting the victim’s ability to contact anyone or seek assistance.

The woman reportedly managed to leave the premises by telling those at the homestay that she was continuing her travel. After reaching Mysuru, she contacted the US Embassy, which then alerted Indian authorities, leading to the registration of a formal complaint.

Police confirmed that both the accused have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody till May 3. A case has been registered at the local police station, and further investigation is underway.

There were conflicting reports regarding whether the victim had been drugged before the assault. While some accounts suggested she may have been given a spiked drink, local police have stated that such claims are not confirmed at this stage.

The incident has raised concerns over the safety of foreign tourists and the regulation of homestays in popular travel destinations. Karnataka authorities have indicated that strict action will be taken against those found violating operational norms.