As reported by NDTV, a 25-year-old German tourist was allegedly raped by a cab driver in Hyderabad on Monday. The accused has been detained and is currently under interrogation. The incident occurred near the Mamidipally area in Pahadi Shareef when the victim was exploring the city in the driver’s vehicle.
According to the police, the victim and her fellow countryman arrived in Hyderabad on March 4 to visit a friend who had previously studied with them in Italy. On Monday, while in the Meerpet area, the accused offered them a ride around the city. After visiting several locations and taking photographs, the driver dropped off the woman’s friend and proceeded to Mamidipally with the victim around 7:30 PM. There, under the pretext of taking photos, he allegedly raped her before fleeing the scene. The victim informed her German friend, and together they lodged a complaint with the police. A case has been registered, and a detailed investigation is underway.
This incident adds to a troubling pattern of attacks on Western tourists in India. In a recent case, a British tourist was allegedly raped by a man she met on social media during her trip to India. After the assault, she was further molested by a hotel staff member while attempting to escape. Both suspects were arrested by Indian police.
Additionally, a Swiss couple was attacked near the Taj Mahal in Agra. A group of men approached them near a local railway station, demanded selfies with the woman, and then assaulted them with stones. The man suffered a fractured skull, while the woman sustained a broken arm and multiple bruises.
These incidents have prompted several governments to issue safety warnings for women tourists traveling to India. The UK Foreign Office, for instance, has advised that reported cases of sexual assault against women and young girls are increasing, urging travelers to exercise caution.
