Under arrest: Sachin Chauhan, manager of the Hotel Agra Mahal, has been arrested after a British tourist fled an alleged assault in her room
A British woman leapt from the second floor balcony of an Indian hotel because she believed the owner was about to rape her.
The tourist, who is in her early 30s, told police she fled after the man broke into the room at the Hotel Agra Mahal in the city of Agra, which is close to the Taj Mahal.She said she had requested a 4am wakeup call but instead the alleged attacker forced his way in, offered her a massage and refused to leave.The woman, who is understood to be a dentist, broke a leg and is recovering in hospital. Police have arrested the hotel’s owner Sachin Chauhan.
Jump: The British woman leapt from a second floor balcony (circled) of the Hotel Agra Mahal at the centre of the city
Senior superintendent Subhah Chandra Dubey said he had claimed to have knocked on the tourist’s door after staff failed to rouse her on the intercom.Mr Dubey said the woman was moved to another hotel and allocated two female constables as security following her ordeal.A Foreign Office spokesman said: ‘We are aware of an incident involving a British national in Agra, India.‘We are in contact in with the local authorities and are providing consular assistance to the British national.’The Foreign Office said staff had spoken to the alleged victim and a team was on the way to Agra to speak to her.
Horror: A British tourist was the victim of an attempted rape in Agra, where the Taj Mahal is located
Magnet: Agra draws millions of tourists every year. The incident involving a British tourist in Agra is particularly worrying as it took place in popular tourist town visited by millions of westerners every year as part of the ‘Golden Triangle’ of attractions in northern India.British Government advice urges women to ‘exercise caution’ in India, even when travelling as part of a group.The FCO website states: ‘Reported cases of sexual assault against women and young girls are increasing; recent sexual attacks against female visitors in tourist areas and cities show that foreign women are also at risk.British women have been the victims of sexual assault in Goa, Delhi, Bangalore and Rajasthan and women travellers often receive unwanted attention in the form of verbal and physical harassment by individuals or groups of men.’Women travelling through the country are advised to respect local dress codes and customs and avoid visiting isolated areas, including beaches, alone at any time of day.The FCO also warns women against travelling alone on public transport, in taxis or auto-rickshaws, especially at night.
The Indian government has introduced legislation which would raise the minimum sentence for rape to 20 years and impose the death penalty in cases which led to the death of the victim.The Foreign Office today updated its travel advice for women planning to visit India, apparently before the reports of the latest attempted rape.’Women should use caution when travelling in India,’ the advice says.’Reported cases of sexual assault against women and young girls are increasing; recent sexual attacks against female visitors in tourist areas and cities show that foreign women are also at risk.
‘British women have been the victims of sexual assault in Goa, Delhi, Bangalore and Rajasthan and women travellers often receive unwanted attention in the form of verbal and physical harassment by individuals or groups of men.’Women travelling through the country are advised to respect local dress codes and customs and avoid visiting isolated areas, including beaches, alone, at any time of day.The FCO also warns women against travelling alone on public transport, in taxis or auto-rickshaws, especially at night.
Source DM
