A British woman was allegedly raped by a man she met on Instagram in Delhi. Both the offender and a hotel staff member were arrested following her report. The woman sought medical help the next day, leading to police involvement and judicial custody for the suspects. Counseling was offered to the victim by authorities.
A 36-year-old British tourist reported being sexually assaulted in a Delhi hotel by a man she met on Instagram, along with inappropriate actions from a hotel staff member. The woman, currently residing in London, had arrived in India on March 7 and spent four days in Goa before traveling to Delhi to meet a man she knew as “Veer.” She was able to identify the accused as Kailash Gautam, 26, and Mohammed Gulfam, 27, a housekeeping staff member.
The incident unfolded on March 11, when Gautam picked her up from the airport and they checked into a hotel in Mahipalpur. Following a period of consuming alcohol, Gautam allegedly began to behave inappropriately, leading to multiple sexual assaults despite the woman’s resistance. After attempting to leave, she was escorted back to the room by hotel staff who misjudged the situation.
While in the hotel, the woman claimed she faced further assault by Gautam, and an attempt to seek assistance was escalated when she encountered Gulfam in the lift. Following the incident, she sought medical help the next morning and informed hospital staff, prompting police involvement. Both accused were arrested soon after her report, with Gautam apprehended following efforts to avoid detection.
Upon investigation, it was revealed that Gautam had only completed class 12 and utilized an online translator to communicate with the victim. Counseling services were provided to the woman, and both suspects were remanded to judicial custody after appearing in court. The British High Commission has also been notified regarding the matter, although it remains unclear whether the woman is still in Delhi.
This distressing case highlights critical issues regarding safety for international tourists and the potential dangers of online interactions. The swift police action in apprehending the suspects underscores the importance of responsive law enforcement in such serious situations. Support and counseling for victims remain essential in helping them recover from traumatic experiences, while further awareness and preventive measures are necessary to protect individuals traveling abroad.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
