A shocking and shameful incident came to light in Karnataka's Hubballi on Sunday (April 13) involving a labourer from Bihar who allegedly attempted to 'sexually assault' a five-year-old girl and later strangulated her to death. The accused, Ritesh Kumar, a 35-year-old resident of Bihar's Patna, died at the hospital after police opened fire on him. In the incident, three police personnel, including a female Sub-Inspector (SI), sustained injuries. According to police, shortly after the incident, they began an investigation and identified the accused, Ritesh Kumar, using CCTV footage. During nearly three hours of interrogation, the accused revealed his name as Ritesh Kumar and stated that he was from Patna. He mentioned that he travelled across various cities in the country and had come to Hubballi three months ago. At night, he used to sleep in an abandoned building near a bridge and worked as a laborer during the day.
When SI Annapurna and her team took him to that deserted building for further investigation, Ritesh suddenly began pelting stones at the police team. SI Annapurna and two other officers were injured in the attack. After this, Ritesh tried to flee the scene. SI Annapurna fired warning shots in the air to stop him, but he did not comply. She then fired two shots- one hit his back and the other his leg- causing him to collapse. He was taken to the district hospital, but he had already died by the time he arrived. The three injured police personnel are currently receiving medical treatment at the hospital.
Know more about the horrific incident
The incident took place within the jurisdiction of the Ashokanagar police station in Hubballi. According to the police report, the accused took the girl to a shed and attempted to assault her. When the girl screamed for help, locals rushed towards the spot.
Upon noticing the approaching people, the accused allegedly murdered the girl to death and managed to escape. Police Commissioner N Shashikumar today stated that the girl's parents were from Koppal. Her father works as a painter, and her mother is employed as a maid. A complaint has been filed regarding the assault on the girl, and an investigation is underway to determine if she was sexually assaulted, he said.
He further stated the mother had taken the victim with her to work. While she was working, the accused allegedly took the girl away. Later, the girl's body was discovered in a shed. It is yet to be determined if the girl was sexually assaulted, an official said, adding that a medical examination will ascertain the facts. The Police Commissioner stated that they would receive a formal complaint from the parents and initiate strict action.
Pralhad Joshi on Hubballi girl murder case
Reacting to the incident, Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi stated that he had just learned about it. "The government should focus on the law and order system in the state. Strict action should be initiated." Preventive measures will have to be taken, and the guilty must be punished without any mercy. Those involved in this must also be booked. I condemn this incident," Pralhad Joshi added.
The girl's parents staged a protest earlier in front of the Ashokanagar police station, condemning the incident and demanding strict action against the perpetrator. Police Commissioner Shashikumar personally spoke to the protestors and assured them that stringent action would be taken. Preliminary investigations suggest that the accused youth is from Bihar.
The local people also gheraoed the Ashoknagar police station in this regard and demanded that the accused be arrested and given severe punishment. People alleged that the contractors are bringing workers from other states for work without checking their background, due to which such incidents are happening. Expressing their anger, they said that strict action should be taken against such contractors and the police should also get information about the people coming from outside the state.