British Tourist Allegedly Raped in Delhi Hotel by Instagram Acquaintance
A 36-year-old British tourist was allegedly raped in a Delhi hotel by an Instagram acquaintance and molested by a hotel staff member. Both perpetrators were arrested shortly after the incident. The victim sought medical care, prompting police involvement, and both suspects now face serious charges under Indian law.
A 36-year-old British tourist was allegedly raped by a man she met through Instagram during her stay at a hotel in Delhi’s Mahipalpur area. According to police reports, the incident involved a second perpetrator, a hotel staff member, who also allegedly molested the victim. Both accused were swiftly apprehended by the Delhi Police, facing serious charges under the Bharatiya Nayay Sanhita.
The victim, residing in London, arrived in India on March 7 and spent several days in Goa with friends before traveling to Delhi to meet an Instagram acquaintance referred to as “Veer,” whose real name is Kailash Gautam. She reported that Gautam picked her up from the airport, and they checked into a hotel at approximately 11 am.
Once in their hotel room, the woman claimed that Gautam consumed a large amount of alcohol and began to behave inappropriately despite her attempts to resist. In a bid to manage her anxiety, she consumed wine, after which Gautam allegedly assaulted her multiple times. When she tried to leave, Gautam pursued her, and the hotel staff mistakenly believed she was intoxicated, allowing him to escort her back.
It was during this return to her room that Wasim, the housekeeping staffer, allegedly inappropriately touched her in the elevator, prompting her to yell at him. Despite her efforts to confront the situation, Gautam reportedly assaulted her again before leaving the hotel later that evening. The following morning, the woman sought medical attention due to severe pain, where hospital staff notified the police once they learned of the assault.
According to the police, Wasim was arrested first, while Gautam, evading law enforcement by frequently changing locations, was apprehended shortly thereafter. Police officials detailed that Gautam, an unemployed man who had only completed Class 12 education, communicated with the woman using an online translator due to language barriers.
The Delhi Police has since provided counseling to the victim, and both suspects were presented before a judicial court where they were remanded into custody. Furthermore, officials indicated that the high commission is aware of the situation, although it remains unclear if the victim is still in Delhi.
This distressing case highlights significant issues regarding safety and the responsibilities of service personnel in hotels. The swift action taken by law enforcement led to the apprehension of the suspects; however, incidents of sexual assault continue to raise concerns about traveler safety. The importance of clear communication and adequate training for hotel staff in handling such sensitive situations cannot be overstated.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
