70-Yr-Old Frenchwoman 'Raped' By Varanasi Lodge Guard

In a shocking incident, a 70-year-old Frenchwoman was allegedly raped by a guard of her lodge in Madhopur village of Varanasi on Wednesday (June 28). The woman had come to the village to spread awareness about the significance of education for women.

The woman had been in Varanasi for the past 11 months and had come there in collaboration with an NGO to help increase literacy among women. She was staying at a lodge near Shooltankehswar ghat along the Ganges.

The woman told the police that the guard, identified as Omprakash from Mirzapur, broke into her room at night in a drunken state, beat her up and then raped her. The city police claim that the guard escaped before they could reach the spot of incident. The woman has been shifted to the district hospital and has been reported to be stable.

SP (rural), Amit Kumar went to inspect the place and a forensic team also followed to collect samples. An FIR has been registered in this connection, and a team has been deployed to ensure the arrest of the accused, Kumar told HT.

District magistrate Yogeshwar Ram Mishra and senior superintendent of police, Nitin Tiwari, visited the hospital and met the survivor. They also instructed the doctors to provide the best possible care to her. She has been kept in a special ward.

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Over the past few years, there has been a surge in cases of rape and sexual assault on foreign nationals in the country. During Holi this year, a British woman was raped and murdered by a man in Goa, sending shockwaves worldwide. Similarly, Varanasi is also a place much frequented by foreign tourists who come to the city to experience the traditions and culture of India. But this turns into a nightmare when tourists meet with such crimes.

Picture credit- DNA