Udaipur: A 30-year-old man accused of raping a French woman in Udaipur has been arrested by police in Chittorgarh after remaining absconding for three days. The incident, which took place on June 22, has triggered widespread outrage and drawn criticism over the deteriorating law and order situation in Rajasthan’s tourist hotspot.

The accused, Siddharth Ojha—also known as Pushpraj—was taken into custody from a highway in Chittorgarh on Wednesday. He allegedly lured the French national to his room after a shoot party and sexually assaulted her. According to police, the woman had arrived in Udaipur on June 22 for an advertisement shoot for smartphone brand VIVO.

Ojha runs a talent acquisition firm called Udaipur Casting Call, which had partnered with a Jodhpur-based agency for the ad shoot. He was the local organiser for the production, held at multiple scenic locations in Udaipur. Police said the survivor and the accused did not know each other before the shooting.

Following the incident, a protest erupted outside the office of the Superintendent of Police (SP), where Congress workers attempted to confront the accused. “We were protesting against the worsening safety conditions in Udaipur. This incident, along with a recent murder case involving a young woman, is damaging the city's reputation,” said Udaipur city Congress chief Fateh Singh Rathore.

The protest forced heightened police deployment, with officers forming a barricade to prevent protesters from entering the SP’s premises. The accused was swiftly moved inside under tight security.

Udaipur SP Yogesh Goyal confirmed that the FIR was registered the morning after the incident, and the survivor’s statement was promptly recorded. “We located the crime scene, gathered evidence, and launched a manhunt. The accused confessed during interrogation. We will file the chargesheet within a week,” he added.

The French woman, who has been living in Delhi since November 2024 and has experience in ad shoots, is currently stable, sources said.

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot condemned the crime, stating it had tarnished the state’s global image. “Tourists come to Rajasthan for its culture and safety. Incidents like this deeply damage that trust,” he said.

Police have vowed to fast-track the case, citing its sensitive nature and the involvement of a foreign national.