Bhibas Nayak: Hundreds Mourn 26 YO Man Who Tried To Stop Hampi Rape Case

Three men were arrested for gang-raping two women, including an Israeli tourist (27) and an Indian homestay owner (29), on the banks of Sanapur Lake near Hampi, Karnataka, on the night of March 6. A male tourist from Odisha, who was with the female survivors, was killed after the culprits allegedly pushed him into the Tungabhadra left bank canal. Two more male tourists, one from the US and another from Maharashtra, were also injured by the miscreants. The survivors are hospitalised, police said.

Gang Rape, Murder In Hampi

The accused were identified as Saranabasava, Sai Chetan, and Mallesh. According to the police, the accused approached the survivors and victim while they were stargazing near the lake at around 10:30 pm. They asked the tourists where they could get petrol. After one of them gave directions, the accused demanded ₹100 from the group.

"Since the homestay operator did not know them, she told them they had no money," police said. "When the men repeatedly insisted, one of the male tourists gave them ₹20. After that, the three men allegedly started arguing." The three men in the group were pushed into the canal while the women were gang-raped, according to reports.

One of the men, identified as Bibhas Nayak (26) from Odisha, was found dead in the canal on March 8. A case has been registered at Gangavathi Rural Police Station under IPS sections related to extortion, robbery, gang rape and murder. Chetan and Mallesh were arrested on March 8, while Saranabasava was nabbed in Tamil Nadu on March 9.

"This incident has been taken very seriously. We visited the spot as well. Based on the information, we had earlier arrested two accused. Today, the third accused, #SaranaBasava (27) has been nabbed in #Chennai. We have brought him here. The due procedure will be done today, and… https://t.co/jJsYdqhVGF pic.twitter.com/1N8fWeBn7u

— Hate Detector 🔍 (@HateDetectors) March 10, 2025

Bibhas Nayak's Demise

In Odisha’s G Udayagiri town, hundreds gathered to mourn the loss of Bibhas Nayak. At the funeral on March 9, his cousin Firoz Pradhan told The Indian Express, "He loved to travel, explore new places, make new friends and do adventurous things. Whenever he got time from his work, he would make plans to travel. He used to go on four-five trips every year."

Nayak was a staff member in the administrative department at St. Stephen’s Hospital, Delhi. He did his graduation in Business Management (BBA) from Madras Christian College, Chennai, and pursued his Masters in Finance and Administration at the Bombay Stock Exchange Institute, Mumbai. He was the youngest of two siblings.

His father Bijay Kumar Nayak is the sixteenth Moderator of the Church of North India (CNI) as well as Bishop, Diocese of Agra, CNI. His uncle, Ajay Nayak, had gone to Karnataka to receive the body, which was brought back to his village on Sunday afternoon. Hundreds of mourners gathered to bid him farewell as the funeral procession began around 4 pm, sources said.

Babiya put to the final rest in Anantapadmaswamy temple. pic.twitter.com/wG4ewM0Bgb

— Nithin Dayanand (@truth_recipe) October 10, 2022

Political Leaders React

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah described the incident as a “heinous crime”. He wrote on X, “As soon as the incident was reported, I directed the concerned police officials to take immediate action, conduct a stringent investigation, and swiftly apprehend the culprits." Many political leaders, including the Opposition, have spoken up about the crime. 

ಕೊಪ್ಪಳ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ ಗಂಗಾವತಿ ತಾಲೂಕಿನ ಸಾಣಾಪುರದಲ್ಲಿ ಇಸ್ರೇಲಿ ಪ್ರಜೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಹೋಮ್‌ ಸ್ಟೇ ಮಾಲಕಿ ಮೇಲೆ ನಡೆದ ಹಲ್ಲೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಅತ್ಯಾಚಾರ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಹೇಯ ಕೃತ್ಯ.
ಘಟನೆ ವರದಿಯಾದ ಕೂಡಲೇ ಸಂಬಂಧಪಟ್ಟ ಪೊಲೀಸರಿಂದ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ಪಡೆದು, ಕಟ್ಟುನಿಟ್ಟಿನ ತನಿಖೆ ಕೈಗೊಂಡು, ಅಪರಾಧಿಗಳನ್ನು ಶೀಘ್ರ ಪತ್ತೆಹಚ್ಚುವಂತೆ ಸೂಚಿಸಿದ್ದೆ.
ಪ್ರಕರಣದ ಸಂಬಂಧ ಪೊಲೀಸರು…

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) March 8, 2025