French Tourist Alleges rape by Local Event Manager in Udaipur, Raises Questions on Safety and Cultural Contradictions.

 

In a deeply disturbing incident that has shaken the tranquil image of Udaipur—a city renowned for its hospitality, royal heritage, and the values of respect towards guests and women—a 30-year-old female tourist from France has filed a formal police complaint alleging rape by a local man associated with an events management company.

According to details shared in the First Information Report (FIR), the alleged rape occurred on the night of June 22, shortly after the tourist had arrived in Udaipur from Delhi for a leisure trip.

The complaint was formally registered around 11 p.m. on June 23, following the victim’s visit to the police station accompanied by her friends.

The woman narrated in her complaint that after arriving in the city, she and her friends went out for dinner at a café. While they were dining, a man approached their table and initiated a conversation.

The man, later identified by the police as “Siddharth”, is reportedly an employee of an events management company operating in the area.

She recounted how the man suggested stepping outside for a smoke, and from there, persuaded her to accompany him on a drive. The woman, perhaps unaware of the potential danger, agreed to the offer.

What followed, as per her allegations, was a harrowing experience.

Despite multiple requests to be taken back to her hotel, the man allegedly drove her to his residence instead. “I asked him several times to take me back to my hotel, but he didn’t listen,” she wrote in her complaint.

She further added that once at his apartment, the man began making unwelcome advances. “He started asking for a hug, which I refused.

My phone had run out of charge, and I repeatedly asked him for a charger so I could contact my friends or locate my hotel, but he refused to help,” she said.

The victim stated that despite her clear resistance, the man forcefully hugged her and went on to rape her. “I kept saying ‘no’. I started crying.

But he continued,” she said, adding that after the rape, she pleaded with him to drop her back. Initially, he refused. But eventually, he agreed to drive her back to her hotel, by which time it was around 6 a.m.

On returning, the woman met her friends at the hotel and narrated the traumatic episode. They immediately accompanied her to the local police station to report the incident.

Superintendent of Police, Udaipur, Yogesh Goya, confirmed the details of the case and said that the accused, Siddharth, is currently absconding. “We have initiated an investigation.

A medical examination of the complainant has been conducted. Statements of her friends and others known to her have been recorded,” said SP Goyal.

“The victim was visiting Udaipur with a group of other French nationals, while the accused is employed with an events company. We are actively working to trace his whereabouts and hope to apprehend him soon,” he added.

This unfortunate incident is particularly distressing in a country like India, where guests are traditionally considered sacred—Atithi Devo Bhava (The Guest is God)—and where women are revered across centuries of cultural ethos.

From ancient scriptures to modern-day constitutional values, the dignity, safety, and honor of women are enshrined in the nation’s moral and legal fabric.

That such an alleged assault took place against a foreign visitor in a city celebrated for its royal legacy and warmth not only undermines the country’s proud cultural values but also raises important questions about the growing disconnect between tradition and individual behavior in modern society.

Tourists from around the world come to India drawn by its rich cultural heritage, spiritual depth, and the famed hospitality of its people.

Incidents like this not only tarnish India’s image on the global stage but also betray the fundamental values of compassion, respect, and protection that Indian society claims to uphold, particularly towards women.

As the investigation continues, citizens, local authorities, and civic leaders must collectively reflect on the larger responsibility of creating safer spaces, es—especially for women, whether local or foreign.

The safety of women cannot remain a ceremonial promise but must become a lived reality, consistent with the values India claims to represent.

The police have assured that justice will be pursued with urgency, and the accused will be brought to account.

Meanwhile, this case serves as a sobering reminder that no act of violence—especially against women—should ever be normalized, excused, or forgotten in silence.