Man Accused of Killing Five-Year-Old Shot Dead by Police in Karnataka

A man accused of kidnapping and brutally murdering a five-year-old girl in Hubballi, Karnataka, was shot dead in a police encounter, authorities confirmed on Sunday. The police stated that the accused attacked the team attempting to apprehend him and tried to escape, leading to retaliatory gunfire in self-defense. One police constable was also injured during the incident.

According to police sources, the accused has been identified as 35-year-old Nitish Kumar, a native of Patna, Bihar, who was residing in Hubballi. He allegedly abducted a five-year-old girl from the locality and subsequently murdered her. Shortly after the child was reported missing, her body was found in a dilapidated building near Ashok Nagar. Police suspect the child may have also been sexually assaulted and indicated that medical examinations were being conducted to confirm this angle.

The girl’s mother works as a domestic helper and an assistant in a beauty parlour. She had taken her daughter along with her to work when the abduction reportedly occurred.

The discovery of the child’s body sparked outrage among the local residents. Protests erupted in front of the Ashok Nagar Police Station, with demonstrators demanding strict punishment for the accused. In response, police intensified their search operations and successfully detained Nitish Kumar.

However, while in custody, the accused reportedly attacked the police team, damaged a police vehicle, and attempted to flee. Despite warning shots fired into the air, he refused to surrender. Hubballi Police Chief Shashi Kumar stated that the police fired two rounds in self-defense, which were discharged by a woman sub-inspector.

Nitish Kumar sustained critical injuries in the encounter and was immediately taken to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead upon arrival.

The incident has caused considerable unrest in the region. Authorities confirmed that a comprehensive investigation is underway into the child’s murder, the alleged sexual assault, and the circumstances surrounding the police encounter.