Spanish Woman Gang-Raped in Jharkhand Sparks Outrage and Calls for Stronger Safety Measures for Tourists

A Spanish woman’s harrowing experience of being gang-raped in a secluded area near Kurmahat village, Dumka, Jharkhand, has ignited widespread condemnation and renewed concerns over the safety of tourists in India.

The victim, who holds Spanish and Brazilian citizenship, was travelling to Nepal from West Bengal with her husband when the gruesome assault took place.

Following the social media post detailing the traumatic incident, prominent figures such as Richa Chadha, Dulquer Salmaan, and Chinmayi Sripada expressed their outrage, calling the act a shameful reflection of the safety challenges faced by women travellers.

Jharkhand Police reportedly asked the victim to remove the post from social media citing interference with the investigation, which raised questions about the limits of such requests.

The incident is a stark reminder of previous cases involving assaults on foreign tourists in India, including abuse in Kerala, Jaipur, and Pune, highlighting the urgent need to address safety concerns and legal protections.

The Jharkhand High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident and demanded reports from the Chief Secretary, DGP, and SP of Dumka, underscoring the potential national and international repercussions of crimes against foreign nationals.

Rekha Sharma from the National Commission for Women (NCW) reached out to the victim, assuring support, while political parties engaged in debates during the state assembly session over law enforcement failures.

As the investigation progresses and calls for justice grow louder, the case of the Spanish woman’s gang-rape sheds light on the need for stronger safety measures and legal safeguards for tourists visiting India.