Karnataka Police to Present Report on Assault Case Involving American Tourist
Investigation Report Submission
Representational Image
Bengaluru, June 9: The Karnataka Police are set to deliver their investigation findings to the High Court on Tuesday regarding the alarming case of sexual assault involving an American tourist at a Madikeri homestay, allegedly perpetrated by a staff member from Jharkhand.
A bench led by Justice M. Nagaprasanna has instructed the government to proceed with this matter. This directive was issued during the hearing of a petition from the accused homestay owner, Palekanda Ponnappa, also known as Vishal, who is seeking a temporary halt to the investigation against him.
During a session on Monday, the court remarked on the gravity of the crime, emphasizing that the rape of a foreign woman is a significant issue that warrants serious attention. The court indicated that it could not grant a stay at this point and would need to review the investigative documents first. It acknowledged the serious allegations against the homestay owner that require verification.
The petitioner contended that the homestay owner has not been charged with rape and that the other alleged offenses are bailable. He further claimed that his arrest without prior notice infringes on his fundamental rights.
The court has postponed the hearing until Wednesday (June 11).
In April 2026, the victim, a traveler from Washington, was staying at the villa when the cook, Vrijesh Kumar, allegedly laced a sweet drink with a drug. The complaint states that Kumar sexually assaulted the tourist after she became unconscious.
Investigations indicated that Vishal, the homestay owner, attempted to cover up the incident. Reports suggest that he disabled the property’s Wi-Fi for three days to prevent the victim from reaching out to the American Embassy or local authorities.
The victim managed to escape by telling her captors she was heading to Mysuru. Upon arrival, she immediately contacted the American Embassy, which led the Ministry of External Affairs and local police to initiate a criminal investigation.
Both Vrijesh Kumar and Vishal have been arrested by the police.
In response to public outrage, officials from the Ministry of External Affairs visited Madikeri to monitor the investigation's progress. The Tourism Department noted that the establishment had only received its license in January 2024 but had allegedly breached all safety Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Former Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara spoke to the media, confirming that attempts to suppress the case were thwarted by prompt police action once the report reached Mysuru.
“Such incidents tarnish the image of our state and Indian society, particularly when they involve foreign nationals,” Parameshwara remarked. He stressed that the government has issued stringent directives to the district administration to enforce safety regulations across all homestays in the area.