A nine-year-old girl from Kalaburagi, who came to Mysuru with her family to sell balloons during the Dasara festivities, was allegedly raped and murdered by a man out on bail near the Dasara Exhibition Grounds in the early hours of Thursday. Her partially clothed body was found just 50 metres from the family’s tent, sparking outrage and grief.
Karthik, a 31-year-old repeat offender recently released on bail for attempted murder, was arrested following a swift police operation. Authorities are investigating, with special teams and senior officials on site, as the city grapples with the shocking oversight that allowed a known criminal to roam free.
Shattered Festivities: Child Vendor Tragically Lost
The girl, a class 3 student and the second of five children in a nomadic family, disappeared from her tent in the rain around 4:30 am while her parents and siblings slept nearby. After a desperate search, her lifeless body, incomplete in dress and bearing injuries, was discovered in a patch of mud close to the site where she last slept.
Forensic teams, CCTV footage, and a dog squad aided police, who soon identified and pursued the suspect based on video and leads from the community. DCP Bindu Mani, Sundar Raj and other officials visited the spot, and an FIR was registered at Nazarbad Police Station under POCSO and relevant penal sections.
Oversight and Aftermath: Systemic Gaps Exposed
Investigations revealed that the accused, Karthik, had only recently been released from jail after serving time for attempting to rape a woman, and was addicted to alcohol.
His presence near the vulnerable, transient community, seeking a livelihood in the shadow of a major festival, highlighted a breakdown in monitoring repeat offenders and ensuring public safety.
The police acted quickly once alerted: Karthik was apprehended in Kollegal and, after trying to flee, was shot in the leg by officers before being hospitalised. Legal proceedings are underway, and the tragic incident has prompted calls from activists and citizens for stronger protection for children from marginalised groups.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Mysuru tragedy is a devastating reminder of the urgent need for proactive child safety measures, especially for nomadic and economically disadvantaged families at public events.
While authorities’ rapid response post-incident is noteworthy, the situation also exposes deep flaws in monitoring released convicts and protecting vulnerable populations.
The Logical Indian stands for greater accountability, community vigilance, and systemic reform to prevent such horrors from recurring.
