Illegal Party at Hampi Eco-Zone Sparks Outrage Amid Rape-Murder Sentencing
In a shocking coincidence, an alleged illegal party involving hundreds of foreign tourists was organized at a private riverside resort near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi on February 16, the very same day a court in Gangavathi pronounced the death penalty against three men convicted in the Sanapur rape-murder case. The event, held on the banks of the Tungabhadra river between Anegundi and Hampi, has triggered a police crackdown and raised serious environmental concerns.
Viral Footage Leads to Police Action
Video clips of the party, showing foreign tourists dancing to loud music while holding liquor bottles, went viral on social media. Acting suo motu on this viral footage, police registered a case against resort owner Piyush Parmar and manager Huligesh. Koppal SP Dr. Ram L Arasiddi confirmed that the resort had not obtained any approval for the programme. The resort owners organized the event in an open area without permission and violated norms. A case was registered and notices were issued. We are also investigating who all attended the event, he stated.
Environmental Violations in Protected Zone
What particularly shocked authorities was that the party venue fell within the notified limits of the Tungabhadra Otter Conservation Reserve, India's first such reserve established in 2016. This 34-km protected stretch spans ecologically sensitive zones and includes the Hampi world heritage site. A senior forest official, speaking anonymously, emphasized that the area is a protected zone. Holding a party there with loud music and liquor is in violation of regulations, the official said.
Munirabad police added that an inquiry is underway to assess the full extent of violations and determine whether additional provisions under forest and environmental laws could be pressed. The district administration expressed dismay at the blatant disregard for environmental and regulatory concerns, especially given the location's sensitivity.
Context of the Sanapur Rape-Murder Case
The timing of this illegal party adds a layer of irony and outrage, as it occurred on the day the Additional District and Sessions Court in Gangavathi handed out the death penalty to three men convicted in the gang rape of a 27-year-old Israeli woman tourist, along with an Indian homestay owner aged 29, and the murder of Bibhas Nayak, a 26-year-old Indian male tourist guide from Odisha. Two other male tourists—Daniel Pitas, 23, from the US, and Pankaj Patil, 43, from Nashik in Maharashtra—were physically assaulted in that case.
This juxtaposition highlights ongoing challenges in managing tourism and safety in the region, with authorities now scrambling to address both legal and environmental breaches. The police crackdown serves as a reminder of the need for stricter enforcement to protect both visitors and the fragile ecosystem of Hampi.
