French tourist raped in Udaipur after being lured from party; accused absconding

JAIPUR

A 30-year-old French tourist was allegedly raped in Rajasthan’s Udaipur after being lured from a party by an employee of an event management company.

The woman, who had arrived in Udaipur from Delhi on June 22, was staying at a hotel in the Ambamata area. On Monday night, she attended a party at a restaurant near Tiger Hills, where she met the accused, identified as Pushp Raj.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), the accused engaged her in conversation and offered to show her around the city. “He later took her to his rented apartment in Sukher locality, where he raped her,” it said.

The victim said she repeatedly asked him to drop her back, but the accusedrefused. Her mobile phone had run out of battery, leaving her unable to call for help. The woman later admitted herself to a private hospital in Udaipur, where hospital staff alerted the police. She filed a formal complaint from the hospital, and a case was registered under Section 64(1) (rape) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Badgaon police station.

Police officials stated that the French national is in stable condition and continues to receive medical treatment. The French Embassy in New Delhi has been informed of the incident. Police have launched a manhunt to arrest the accused, who is currently absconding.

The Opposition Congress has warned of possible “international ramifications”, especially as the United States has already issued a travel advisory, urging caution to women travellers in six Indian States due to rising rape cases. The Congress stated that Rajasthan may soon be added to such advisories.

‘Women feel unsafe’

Veteran Congress leader and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said the incident had exposed the deteriorating law and order situation in Rajasthan. “Women across the State feel unsafe, but the Bharatiya Janata Party government remains indifferent,” he said.