Two Arrested Over Alleged Sexual Assault of British Tourist in Delhi Hotel

Police in India's capital city, Delhi, have confirmed the arrest of two individuals connected to an incident involving the alleged rape and molestation of a British tourist. According to the authorities, the victim—a 36-year-old woman from London—was assaulted in a hotel located in Mahipalpur, a neighbourhood approximately 15 kilometers away from India's parliament building.

Officials have identified one of the arrested suspects as Kailash, who had reportedly made the woman's acquaintance through Instagram. Police say Kailash is accused of rape, while a second individual, a hotel employee named Wasim, has been arrested on charges related to molestation. Authorities have emphasized that these were separate assaults committed independently by the two men, clarifying this was not a case involving multiple offenders at once.

The British woman had travelled to India specifically to meet Kailash after developing a connection through social media. During her holiday to the Indian states of Maharashtra and Goa, she reportedly invited him to join her. When Kailash reportedly indicated he was unable to travel, the woman decided instead to visit him in Delhi. She's believed to have arrived at the hotel on Tuesday, after which she claims Kailash visited and assaulted her. Separately, she alleged molestation by a hotel employee, who she says touched her inappropriately while in an elevator.

Authorities from the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office have confirmed that they're offering support to the woman and are liaising closely with Indian authorities about the matter.

The assault on this British national comes shortly after another severe sexual assault involving foreign nationals occurred in India. Less than a week ago, an Israeli tourist and her Indian homestay operator were sexually assaulted near a UNESCO heritage site in Karnataka, an incident during which one male passenger was tragically murdered while two others survived the attack.

Cases of sexual violence against women continue to plague India, prompting ongoing discussion around women's safety—whether residents or foreign tourists. Official crime statistics indicate that reported rape cases reached 31,516 in 2022 alone, marking a 20% increase compared to data from the previous year. Actual numbers are believed to be significantly higher due to societal reluctance and stigma around reporting these crimes.

Past incidents, including the gang rape of a Spanish tourist in Jharkhand last year and the rape and murder of an Irish tourist in Goa, highlight ongoing safety issues confronting women traveling across the country. Those events drew widespread media attention and spurred important conversations about safety measures needed to protect visitors and further address the surge in crimes against women.