Six Men Sentenced for Gang Rape of Swiss Tourist in India

A Swiss woman was the victim of a brutal gang rape while on a cycling vacation in India. In June 2013, an Indian court sentenced six men to life in prison for their roles in the assault, which occurred in March 2013 in the central state of Madhya Pradesh. The 39-year-old woman and her husband were camping by the roadside when the attack took place.

The police reported that the assailants tied up the woman’s husband, allowing them to assault her in his presence. In addition to the horrific act, the attackers stole the couple’s belongings, including a laptop, a cellphone, and cash. The suspects, aged between 22 and 30, hailed from a nearby village. Five of the men were apprehended shortly after the incident and confessed to their involvement, while a sixth suspect was arrested later.

The BBC noted that one of the suspects was convicted of assault and robbery, but not of rape. All six received life sentences for their crimes. The case triggered widespread protests in Madhya Pradesh, with opposition lawmakers calling for the resignation of the state’s home minister due to what they described as a “collapse of law and order.” Ajay Singh, a prominent opposition leader, articulated these concerns during the protests.

Context of Sexual Violence in India

This incident was part of a disturbing trend of high-profile sexual assaults reported in India during that year. In December 2013, a particularly shocking case involved the gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old physiotherapy student in Delhi. The student was brutally attacked, beaten with an iron rod, and left for dead. Her male companion was also assaulted but survived. Following her death from injuries sustained during the attack, public outrage led to nationwide protests and resulted in five men being charged with her murder and rape.

In June of the same year, another incident raised alarm when three men were arrested in Himachal Pradesh for the alleged gang rape of an American tourist. According to police officer Vinod Dhawan, the woman was attacked after she accepted a ride from a group of men near the resort town of Manali. The suspects, aged 22 and 23, were taken into custody after the woman reported that she had been driven to a secluded location and assaulted.

Such incidents have highlighted ongoing concerns regarding women’s safety in India, prompting calls for stronger legal protections and societal changes to combat violence against women. The judicial system’s response, including the life sentences handed down in the Madhya Pradesh case, reflects a growing recognition of the need for accountability in these crimes.