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Mysore, Oct 10 (IANS) A man, who was on bail in a rape case involving a government employee, has been arrested for the rape and murder of a nine-year-old balloon vendor in Karnataka’s Mysore.
The accused was identified as Karthik, a native of Kollegal town in Chamarajanagar district.
The police shot the accused in the leg when he allegedly tried to escape.
Mysore Police Commissioner Seema Latkar said, “On October 9, a case of rape and murder of a minor girl was reported from Jwalamukhi Circle, opposite the Exhibition Centre, in the limits of Nazarabad police station. The case was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act and rape and murder. The accused was later arrested.”
Commissioner Latkar said, “During investigation, while establishing his identity, the accused did not produce any documents. He initially claimed that he was a resident of Siddalingapura. When the police took him there, he refused to reveal his identity. On his way back to Mysore, the accused attacked the police and attempted to escape. He attacked an officer with a bottle. The police first fired in the air and later shot him in the leg.”
He further said that Karthik was facing two cases.
In 2023, a case was registered against him for quarreling with neighbors, in which he was acquitted.
In 2019, he was convicted in a rape case involving a female government employee in Kollegal city. He was sentenced to four years in prison and was recently released on bail.
Giving more details, the police said that the accused was traced through CCTV footage and he was arrested. He abducted a nine-year-old girl while she was sleeping in a tent with her parents and committed this crime.
In the 2019 case, Karthik had attempted to rape a government employee and tried to kill her by pushing her into a lake. He was convicted in February 2020 and sentenced to four years in prison. After getting bail, he was roaming on the streets instead of returning home.
Mysuru and Kodagu BJP MP Yaduveer Wadiyar said such a heinous incident had never happened before in Mysuru. “Rape and murder of a minor girl brings shame to the entire society. It should not be politicized and strict action should be taken immediately,” he said.
Expressing anger, former BJP MP Pratap Simha said that this incident, which happened just after Dussehra festival, has shocked the people.
He said, “Recently, a murder was reported from the same place in Mysore. Now, the rape and murder of a minor girl has been reported. What is happening in Mysore? The people of this city feel a deep sense of belonging, and they are hurt by these incidents.”
It is noteworthy that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also comes from Mysore district.
On Thursday, police recovered the body of a girl selling balloons in Mysuru city of Karnataka.
Police said the girl’s family is one of the 50-odd tribal families living near the Doddakere grounds, opposite the Mysuru Palace and the exhibition grounds.
–IANS
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