Daijiworld Media Network- Hubballi
Hubballi, Apr 13: In a dramatic turn of events, the man accused of abducting and killing a five-year-old girl in Hubballi was shot dead by police on Sunday after he allegedly attacked officers while in custody.
The suspect, who identified himself as 35-year-old Ritesh Kumar from Patna, Bihar, had earlier confessed to the brutal crime, but his true identity is still under verification, police said.
The tragic incident unfolded earlier in the day in the Ashokanagar area, where the accused reportedly lured the young girl into a shed while her mother was at work. Locals rushed to the scene after hearing the girl's cries, but the accused allegedly strangled her before fleeing. The child's lifeless body was later found in the shed.
Hubballi-Dharwad police commissioner N Shashikumar, addressing the media, said the suspect was apprehended based on CCTV footage and community leads. During a three-hour interrogation, he admitted to the crime but failed to provide verifiable identification.
Following the interrogation, the suspect led police to a deserted house where he claimed to have been staying. It was there, Shashikumar said, that he suddenly turned violent—throwing stones at the police vehicle and officers in an attempt to escape.
Police Sub-Inspector Annapurna initially fired a warning shot. When the accused continued his assault, she was forced to open fire, hitting him in the leg and back. The injured suspect was immediately taken to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
Three police personnel, including PSI Annapurna and constables Yashwant and Veeresh, sustained injuries in the incident.
As the community grappled with the horror of the crime, the victim’s parents—daily wage workers from Koppal—staged a protest outside the Ashokanagar police station, demanding swift justice. Commissioner Shashikumar assured them of strict action.
Union minister Pralhad Joshi, who visited the grieving family at KIMS Hospital, condemned the heinous act, calling it a stain on society’s conscience. He lauded the police for their swift response and bravery, while also raising concerns over increasing drug abuse—suspected to have influenced the accused’s behaviour.
“This is a crime that shakes the soul. The accused’s attempt to escape and harm officers left the police with no choice but to act. We must crack down hard on the drug menace that is corrupting our youth and fuelling such crimes,” Joshi said.
An autopsy will determine whether the child was sexually assaulted, police confirmed.