Karnataka homestay rape survivor returns to US; accused's bail plea hearing today

MYSURU/MADIKERI: Hearing on the bail pleas of the cook, accused of raping a US woman at a homestay in Kutta, Kodagu, earlier this month, and the owner of the facility, charged with attempts to suppress the incident, were adjourned to Saturday.Advocate Kokkanda Appanna, who had filed the bail applications for the accused, said court adjourned the hearing, seeking clarification on whether the survivor would be made party to the pleas.The survivor, meanwhile, has returned to the US upon completion of all medico-legal formalities in Karnataka, a senior police officer told TOI Friday. She flew out of Bengaluru Thursday.The officer further said investigation into the case was being conducted by an inspector from Kutta police station.The accused duo - Brijesh, the cook, and homestay owner Vishal Ponnappa - will be taken into custody for interrogation once the formalities related to collection and examination of evidence are over, the police officer said.(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)