A five-year-old girl was allegedly kidnapped and murdered by a man in Hubballi on Sunday, triggering public outrage and protests in the city. The incident occurred within the Ashok Nagar police station limits, and the child’s body was found in an abandoned building, according to police officials.
Though there were reports suggesting a possible sexual assault, Police Commissioner of Hubballi-Dharwad N Shashi Kumar said that medical examination and further investigation would confirm the cause of death and whether the child was assaulted. “No information for now. Cause of death, was there any kind of assault on the girl child will all be verified,” he said.
The victim hailed from Koppal district. Her mother, who works as a housemaid and part-time assistant at a beauty parlour, had taken the child along with her while working in houses in the locality. An unidentified man reportedly took the girl from one of those locations. Upon searching, the girl was discovered in the bathroom of a small sheet-roofed building opposite the house from where she had gone missing. She was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead.
As news of the murder spread, a large number of residents gathered in front of the Ashok Nagar police station, demanding justice and swift action. Police assured the protesters that a case had been registered and legal proceedings were underway. “The complaint is being taken from the parents of a girl and necessary legal action will follow,” the Commissioner said, urging citizens to remain calm and allow the investigation to proceed.
35-Year-Old Accused in Hubballi Girl’s Murder Shot Dead While Trying to Escape Custody: Police
Later that evening, the accused—identified as 35-year-old Ritesh Kumar, a native of Patna, Bihar—was shot dead by police while allegedly attempting to escape custody. He had been booked under charges of murder and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, as well as for attacking police personnel.
According to Commissioner Kumar, the accused had been residing in an abandoned building near the Tarihala underpass and was living away from his family for years, taking up odd jobs. He was apprehended earlier in the day based on CCTV footage and local leads. Despite several hours of interrogation, he provided limited information and failed to establish his identity conclusively. “However, the CCTV footage clearly captures him committing the crime,” the Commissioner stated.
To verify his identity, the accused was taken to his place of stay. There, he reportedly threw stones at the police vehicle and attacked officers before attempting to flee. “Our woman officer, PSI Annapurna, fired a warning shot in the air. When he did not stop, two to three rounds were fired at him.
Karnataka: In Hubballi, a 35-year-old man named Ritesh Kumar from Bihar, accused of abducting, raping and murdering a 5-year-old girl, was killed in a police encounter after attempting to escape. Three police officers were injured during the incident pic.twitter.com/S3Vx73zump
— IANS (@ians_india) April 13, 2025
One bullet struck his leg, and another hit his back,” Kumar said. The accused collapsed and was rushed to KMC Hospital, where he was declared dead.
Three police personnel—PSI Annapurna and constables Yeshwant and Veeresh—were injured in the incident, though they are out of danger, PTI reported. A separate case has been registered against the accused for attacking and attempting to murder police officers.
‘Unpardonable’: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi Meets Cops Injured In Hubballi Encounter
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi visited the injured officer at the Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute in Hubballi.
VIDEO | Union Minister Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) visits injured officer at Karnataka Medical college and Research Institute in Hubballi.
The Karnataka police shot and killed a man accused of kidnapping and murdering a five-year-old girl in Hubballi. One police officer got… pic.twitter.com/X2zZdZc5qQ
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 13, 2025
“Society cannot imagine this, and the way in which that accused, who is now no more this is what the Commissioner of Police has reported to me. It is really very very unfortunate, condemnable, unpardonable, but at the same time, action has been initiated immediately. The people only caught him, and he was handed over to the police,” he told the media, as per news agency IANS.
“He was more violent towards the police force, and he tried to escape. At that time, the encounter took place…Whatever police at that context did is the right thing,” he added.
Karnataka: Regarding the Hubballi minor rape and murder case, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi says, “Society cannot imagine this and the way in which that accused who is now no more this is what Commissioner of Police has reported to me. It is really very very unfortunate,… pic.twitter.com/KAJe6ULDWs
— IANS (@ians_india) April 13, 2025
Hubballi Case: CM Siddaramaiah Promises Rs 10 Lakh Annual Aid To Family
Meanwhile, Congress MLA Abbayya Prasad announced that Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has promised a compensation of 10 lakhs per year to the victim’s family.
Hubballi, Karnataka: On the Hubballi minor rape and murder case, Congress MLA Abbayya Prasad says, “Saleem Ahmed, after speaking to the CM, announced a compensation of 10 lakhs per year. Along with that, as the Chairman of the Slum Board, i also providing them with a house here” pic.twitter.com/TR1cyNNMhF
— IANS (@ians_india) April 13, 2025
According to IANS, he said, “Saleem Ahmed, after speaking to the CM, announced a compensation of 10 lakhs per year. Along with that, as the chairman of the slum board, I will also provide them with a house here.”
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