British Tourist Allegedly Assaulted in Delhi Hotel by Instagram Acquaintance
A 36-year-old British woman was raped in a Delhi hotel by an Instagram acquaintance, Kailash Gautam, and molested by hotel staff member Mohammed Gulfam. Both men were arrested within hours of the incident. The victim, visiting India, experienced significant trauma and sought hospital care, prompting police intervention. The case highlights safety concerns for tourists and the risks of online connections.
A 36-year-old British tourist was allegedly raped by a man she met through Instagram while staying at a hotel in Delhi’s Mahipalpur area. The incident, which also involved a hotel staff member’s inappropriate behavior, led to the arrests of both men under charges of rape and molestation. The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Surendra Chaudhary, confirmed the occurrence of the incident, although further details were withheld.
The accused were identified as 26-year-old Kailash Gautam and 27-year-old Mohammed Gulfam, a hotel housekeeping employee. Upon receiving the woman’s complaint, police officers promptly registered a case and arrested the perpetrators within two hours. The victim had traveled to India on March 7, spending four days in Goa before reaching Delhi to meet Gautam, known as “Veer” on Instagram.
Upon arrival at the hotel, Gautam consumed excessive alcohol and began to misbehave with the woman, who had been trying to manage her anxiety with wine. Despite her resistance, he allegedly sexually assaulted her multiple times. Efforts to leave the room were thwarted when hotel staff inaccurately assessed the situation, believing she was intoxicated and allowing Gautam to accompany her back.
The troubling event escalated when Gulfam, the housekeeping staffer, allegedly misled her during an elevator ride by touching her inappropriately. This prompted her to shout at him, causing him to retreat. Following further assault from Gautam, he departed the hotel around 11 p.m. The next morning, suffering from severe pain, the tourist sought medical assistance at a nearby hospital, where the physician alerted law enforcement.
Initially, Gulfam was apprehended, with Gautam being captured later as he attempted to evade authorities. Police noted that Gautam was unemployed and lacked English speaking skills, relying on an online translator for their exchanges on social media. Support and counseling were provided to the victim while both accused appeared in court, where they were remanded to custody. The incident has also been reported to the British high commission, although the status of the victim in Delhi remains undisclosed.
This distressing event highlights issues related to safety for international visitors and the potential dangers associated with online interactions. The prompt arrest of the suspects indicates a proactive response from law enforcement. Furthermore, support services were made available to the victim, demonstrating the importance of addressing mental and physical health needs in the aftermath of such traumatic experiences.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
