A British woman who travelled to India to see a man she had met online was rapëd by him at a hotel in Delhi before being molested by another man in the building’s lift, according to police.

The tourist, 36, was staying in the Mahipalpur area of the Indian capital this week after befriending a man, identified only as Kailash, on Instagram.

The London-based woman had been on holiday to Maharashtra and Goa when she asked the man to join her, Indian media reports.

The suspect said he could not travel, so she went to where he lived in Delhi to meet him, checking into a hotel on Tuesday.

He went to see visit her there, but a heated argument then allegedly ensued when the woman realised that the man was trying to act inappropriately towards her.

The victim alleged that she was brutally attacked and rapëd by the accused.

She escaped the room to go to the hotel reception to get help, at which point another man, under the pretext of helping her, allegedly molested her in the hotel lift.

Both men have been arrested on rapë and molestation charges, according to Indian police, who have launched an investigation into the horrific events. 

Local authorities have informed the British High Commission and have been assisting the British national, according to reports.