A 22-year-old Australian woman has accused a houseboat owner in Srinagar of repeatedly raping her.

The woman, who arrived in Srinagar on May 27, alleged that Mohammed Rafiq Dundoo, who owns 'Youngson Beam' houseboat, virtually held her hostage for over two months.

Dundoo was arrested on Sunday, Superintendent of Police, Srinagar East Zone, Anand Jain told rediff.com

"After her arrival here the Australian lady decided to stay in Kashmir for one month, as she was planning to visit Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh to meet the Dalai Lama."

However, the houseboat owner allegedly took away her travel documents, passport, cash and other items and repeatedly raped her, according to the police.

She finally managed to escape from the houseboat on July 24 and reached Delhi, where she met officials of the Australian high commission, Jain said.

The high commission immediately took up the matter with India.

Jain confirmed that the tourist's air ticket was recovered from Dundoo.

"We may need to question her also as the investigation progresses. She has already left Delhi and returned to Australia. We may approach the Australian high commission as and when we need her help," he said.