Police
said on Monday that a 38-year-old German tourist was raped by unidentified men
in India’s southern state of Tamil Nadu.
The
crime took place near a beach resort in Mahabalipuram region over 50 km away
from state capital Chennai on Sunday morning.
“The
tourist had gone for a stroll on the beach and was taking a sunbath at a
secluded area when she was attacked,’’ local police inspector Maghita, who uses
only one name, said by phone.
“She
alleged two men had dragged her into a nearby grove and assaulted her,’’ she
added.
Medical
reports confirmed the tourist was raped, Maghita said.
Some
locals were being questioned by police but no arrests were made yet.
Police
say they suspect people staying at beach houses or members of the local fishing
community could be behind the crime.
The
officials said it had informed the German mission in India about the crime.
The
latest major sex crime in India comes a fortnight after a female Irish tourist
was raped and murdered in the beach resort state of Goa in March.
India
has been in the spotlight in recent years over incidents of sexual violence
against women.
In
2012, the fatal gang rape of a student on a bus in New Delhi led to a massive
public outcry and tougher laws.
However,
activists say little has changed in attitudes towards sexual assault, adding
the attacks on women and girls continue unabated.
In
2013, a bill containing harsher punishments for rapists was passed by India’s
parliament earlier in March.
Karuna
Nundy, a leading Supreme Court lawyer, explained that the new laws increase
jail terms in most cases, and brings in the death penalty for a repeat offence
of rape, or rape that causes coma. (dpa/NAN)
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