Over the weekend on 2nd March, a video made trends on microblogging website/app (X, formerly twitter), which featured a motor bike travel vlog couple aiming to visit every country in the world chose India as their latest destination.
This was followed by reports of the 28-year-old woman and her husband, who found themselves in Dumki district for the night when the alleged attack unfolded, with police revealing that four men have been apprehended, and a search is ongoing for three others.
The identities of the assailants, accused of assaulting both the woman and her partner, remain undisclosed.
According to a video statement by the husband, who is Spanish, they endured severe physical assault, with the woman bearing the brunt of the attack.
Fortunately, she sustained less severe injuries due to wearing protective gear. Their online posts detailing the incident have since been removed from their platforms.
Dumka’s police superintendent stated that upon encountering the couple, authorities swiftly provided medical assistance, transporting them to a local health center for treatment.
The Brazilian embassy in India issued a statement confirming the couple’s victimization, expressing concerns over the gravity of the criminal assault. Furthermore, the embassy has been in contact with both the woman and local authorities, in addition to liaising with the Spanish embassy, given the couple’s use of Spanish passports for entry.
Meanwhile, conversations about sexual violence in India have reignited following the incident, with many sharing personal experiences and highlighting systemic issues regarding safety and law enforcement.
Reports indicate that three individuals implicated in the attack have been remanded to judicial custody, with investigations ongoing to locate the remaining suspects. The victims, identified as Spanish citizens, were discovered by authorities late at night on the roadside, visibly battered.
The couple recounted their harrowing ordeal in a video interview, underscoring the urgency of addressing safety concerns for travelers in the region. The incident has prompted heightened scrutiny and calls for justice, with foreign embassies closely monitoring developments and extending support to the affected individuals.