A 24-year-old man in Himachal Pradesh has been arrested for allegedly raping a Polish tourist under the guise of a marriage proposal.
Kartik Chauhan, who lives in Upper Bhagsu, Dharamshala, was taken into custody on Friday following a complaint lodged by the 39-year-old Polish woman the previous day.
The woman, who arrived in India on a tourist visa last month, had been in McLeodganj for two weeks, staying in a rented accommodation, according to police. Chauhan, who owns several rental rooms in McLeodganj, reportedly met her at a local shop and offered her one of his rooms due to her dissatisfaction with her current lodging.
A police source disclosed that Chauhan allegedly raped the woman in one of his rooms after promising to marry her. “Forensic experts have collected samples from the room. The accused is being questioned and the Poland embassy has been informed,” the source added.
Kangra Superintendent of Police Shalini Agnihotri stated, “The victim is a foreign national. She came to India on a tourist visa for recreational activities. We have verified her allegations. The initial investigation has established the crime. The victim’s statement under Section 164 of CrPC was recorded before a local magistrate. It has come to light that they were in contact for the last two weeks. Further probe is on.”
McLeodganj, a popular tourist destination, is home to Tsuglag Khang, the residence of the Dalai Lama, and attracts thousands of foreign visitors annually.