Hubli: A man accused of kidnapping, raping, and murdering a five-year-old girl in Adhyapak Nagar, Hubli, Karnataka, has died in a police encounter. The accused, identified as 35-year-old Ritesh Kumar from Bihar, succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained while attempting to evade arrest.

The heinous crime triggered widespread outrage and protests in the city. According to reports, the incident occurred on Sunday, April 13, 2025.

Hubli police formed multiple teams based on CCTV footage to track down the perpetrator. Initial reports indicate that Ritesh Kumar allegedly kidnapped the girl and took her to a shed. When she started screaming, nearby residents gathered, and in an attempt to escape, the accused allegedly killed the girl.

When police located Ritesh Kumar and attempted to apprehend him, he allegedly attacked the officers. In self-defense, the police fired, hitting him in the leg and chest. Despite being rushed to the district hospital for treatment, doctors declared him dead.

The tragic incident occurred while the young victim's father was away for work and her mother was occupied inside their home. Ritesh Kumar reportedly lured the child with the promise of chocolate before abducting her. His movements were captured on CCTV cameras. The girl's disappearance prompted her mother and local residents to initiate a search. The victim's parents, originally from Koppal, were in Hubballi for painting work. The child's body was found in a disused toilet at an under-construction building.

The discovery of the body triggered widespread outrage. A large number of locals, particularly women, staged a massive protest in front of the Ashok Nagar police station. Senior police officials, including City Police Commissioner N. Shashi Kumar, visited the station to pacify the agitated crowd. Locals had reportedly identified the accused through the CCTV footage, which led to the police operation. Former MP I G Sanadi, Hubballi-Dharwad Urban Development Authority Chairman Sakir Sanadi, corporators Santosh Chouhan and Niranjan Hiremath, and former corporator Siddu Mogalishettar also joined the protest.

Conflicting initial reports emerged regarding the circumstances of the encounter. One account suggested the encounter took place during the arrest attempt when the accused attacked the police. Another report indicated that the incident occurred while the police were taking the accused to inspect his residence. Sources claimed that Ritesh Kumar tried to escape and attacked the police officers, who then fired in self-defense after repeated warnings.

The police action has drawn mixed reactions. Local legislator Prasad Abbayya lauded the encounter, stating that the female PSI acted in self-defense against a perpetrator who had committed a heinous crime and then attacked the police.

However, the public outcry continued throughout Sunday, with residents from various neighborhoods staging protests at the Ashok Nagar police station. Led by corporator Santosh Chavhan and BJP leaders Siddu Mogalishetter and Eshwaragouda Patil, the protestors expressed anger against the police. They demanded that the accused be killed in front of them instead of going through legal procedures, even urging the police to hand him over to them for "appropriate punishment." Initial attempts by the Police Commissioner and other officials to pacify the protestors were unsuccessful.

Women's organizations also joined the protest and attempted to storm the police station, leading to heated arguments and scuffles, creating a tense atmosphere. Police Commissioner N. Shashi Kumar appealed to the protestors to allow the legal process to take its course, assuring them that necessary action would be taken. However, the protestors insisted on knowing the specific legal actions that would be taken immediately.

As news of the incident spread, various organizations, including Dalit rights groups, pro-Kannada organizations, and auto drivers' unions, joined the protest, holding rallies towards the police station. Some protestors even set tires on fire, prompting police to extinguish the flames and attempt to disperse the crowd. Despite repeated efforts by senior police officials, the protestors remained defiant.

Finally, local MLA Mahesh Tenginakai intervened, appealing to the protestors to withdraw their agitation. He assured them that the police had promised to take stringent legal action within two days and that he would discuss the matter with the Chief Minister to ensure necessary measures are taken. He urged them to allow the legal process to proceed until then, failing which they could resume their protests. Following his assurances, the protestors agreed to call off their demonstration by the evening.

The incident has ignited a debate on law enforcement and justice delivery in the aftermath of such brutal crimes, with the public demanding swift and severe punishment for the perpetrators of such acts.