Six Men Sentenced for Gang Rape of Swiss Tourist in India

A Swiss woman was tragically gang-raped in India while on a cycling vacation with her husband. In June 2013, an Indian court sentenced six men to life imprisonment for their roles in the assault, which occurred in March 2013 in the central state of Madhya Pradesh. The couple was camping by the roadside when the attack took place.

The assault involved the attackers tying up the husband before sexually assaulting the woman in his presence. In addition to the horrific act, the assailants stole valuables from the couple, including a laptop, a cellphone, and cash. The suspects, aged between 22 and 30, were identified as locals from a nearby village. Five of the men were apprehended shortly after the incident and confessed, while a sixth suspect was arrested later.

According to reports from the BBC, one of the suspects was convicted of assault and robbery but was not found guilty of rape. Ultimately, all six perpetrators received life sentences for their actions.

Public Outcry and Political Reactions

The incident sparked significant public outrage and led to organized protests in Madhya Pradesh. Opposition lawmakers criticized the state’s home minister, calling for his resignation due to what was described as a “collapse of law and order,” as stated by opposition leader Ajay Singh.

This case was not an isolated incident. It was part of a troubling trend of high-profile rape cases in India that year. Notably, in December 2013, a 23-year-old physiotherapy student was violently gang-raped and left for dead on the side of the road, leading to nationwide protests. Five men were later charged with her murder and rape.

In another alarming case, three men were arrested in June 2013 near the resort town of Manali in Himachal Pradesh for the alleged gang rape of an American tourist. The woman reported that she had accepted a ride from a group of men, who then drove her to a secluded area where she was assaulted.

These incidents highlight ongoing concerns about safety and violence against women in India, raising urgent calls for reform and improved protections for both local and foreign women.