5-Year-Old Girl Kidnapped, Murdered In Karnataka, Suspect Killed In "Encounter"

Hubballi (The Uttam Hindu): A shocking incident of child abduction and murder has sparked widespread outrage in Karnataka's Hubballi. A 5-year-old girl was kidnapped and brutally murdered by 35-year-old Ritesh Kumar, a native of Bihar, who was later shot dead by police in an encounter.

The girl's mother, a domestic help had taken her along to work when the abduction occurred. The child's body was later found in a dilapidated building near Ashok Nagar sparking protests among local residents. According to police, Ritesh Kumar allegedly lured the child with the promise of chocolate before abducting her.

When police attempted to apprehend Ritesh Kumar, he attacked the officers damaged a police vehicle and tried to flee. In self-defense, the police fired warning shots and shot him injuring him in the leg and chest. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Kumar succumbed to his injuries.

The police are investigating the case and a post-mortem is expected to shed light on the cause of death and potential sexual assault. Authorities are verifying key details and probing Kumar's criminal history. The incident has sparked protests in Hubballi with organizations demanding justice for the victim's family. Some residents expressed mixed feelings about the accused's encounter killing, with one schoolteacher saying, "Justice feels served, but the loss is irreversible".

Residents gathered outside the Ashok Nagar police station demanding justice, while Union Minister Pralhad Joshi expressed condolences to the victim's family. Local MLA Mahesh Tenginakai intervened, appealing to the protesters to withdraw their agitation after assurances of stringent legal action.