Bengaluru, June 11 -- The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday observed that homestays across the state need to be regulated, as it reserved orders on a petition filed by the owner of a homestay in Kodagu district where a 33-year-old US tourist was allegedly raped in April this year.

"Homestays need to be regulated. They have mushroomed to such an extent that we don't know where they are and what happens there. Everybody's security is at risk," Justice M Nagaprasanna said while hearing the petition filed by homestay owner Palecanda Ponappa, seeking quashing of the FIR against him and compensation of Rs.15 lakh for what he alleges was an "illegal arrest".

Ponappa, who is out on bail, told the court through his counsel, advocate Angad Kamath...