Three Men Accused of Gang Rape in India: Court Proceedings and Tourist Concerns

On a Friday night in Jharkhand state’s Dumka district, a Spanish couple, 28-year-old Fernanda and 63-year-old Vicente, faced a traumatic incident during their round-the-world motorbike trip. The couple, well-known influencers with 300,000 followers on social media, were in eastern India when they were targeted in a brutal assault.

Horrendous Attack

The couple had been documenting their travels through 66 countries and had posted a video detailing their horrifying experience, which included the gang rape of Fernanda, physical assault, and robbery. The attackers, numbering seven in total, left Fernanda with severe bruises, causing immense distress to both victims.

Legal Proceedings

Following the incident, three accused individuals, believed to be between 20 and 30 years old, were brought to court with their heads covered by sacks. Authorities are actively pursuing the remaining suspects. The couple, now in secure accommodation provided by the authorities, plan to return to Spain.

Compensation and International Impact

The Indian authorities have provided the couple with approximately £9,500 as compensation and are taking measures to ensure a thorough investigation and a speedy trial to secure justice. The court acknowledged the potential negative impact of the crime on the tourism economy, emphasizing the importance of preventing adverse publicity affecting India's image globally.

Alarming Statistics

Data from India’s National Crime Records Bureau reveals an average of nearly 90 reported rapes per day in 2022, highlighting the significant prevalence of such crimes. This equates to a disturbing statistic of a rape occurring approximately every 18 minutes. Unfortunately, a considerable number of cases go unreported due to societal stigmas and a lack of trust in the justice system.

Past Tragedies and Legal Reforms

India's history includes the high-profile case of Jyoti Singh, a 23-year-old student whose brutal assault and subsequent death in 2012 sparked global outrage. The public outcry led to legal reforms, including the introduction of the death penalty for rape in an effort to address the alarming prevalence of such heinous crimes.