Child Raped & Murdered in Mysuru, Suspect Hurt While Being Apprehended

Mysuru, the cultural heartbeat of Karnataka, woke up to unimaginable horror on Thursday morning when the lifeless body of a 10-year-old girl was discovered near Doddakere Maidan, just steps from the iconic Mysuru Palace. The child, part of a nomadic Hakki Pikki tribal family from Kalaburagi, had journeyed over 400 kilometers with her parents and siblings to capitalize on the vibrant Dasara festival—a 10-day extravaganza of music, dance, and elephant processions that draws millions. Instead of cherished memories, their trip ended in tragedy, casting a dark shadow over the city's celebrations.

The girl, one of four children in her family, spent her days hawking colorful balloons and playful toys alongside about 50 other families from the community. They had set up makeshift tents near the Palace grounds, turning bustling spots like Chamundi Hill, the Dasara Exhibition Grounds, Bannimantap, and Devaraja Market into their temporary livelihood hubs. As the sun set on Wednesday, the families wrapped up their sales and retreated to their tents around midnight, exhausted but hopeful for another day's earnings.

But at around 4 a.m., a sudden downpour jolted the camp awake. In the chaos of securing their belongings, the girl's relatives realized she was nowhere to be found. Panic set in as they scoured the rain-soaked area, eventually filing a frantic missing person report at the nearby Nazarbad Police Station. By 6:30 a.m., a gut-wrenching discovery: her partially clothed body lay discarded in a shallow pit, mere 50 meters from their tent. Initial signs pointed to a heinous sexual assault followed by murder, allegations that shattered the family and ignited outrage across the region.

Also Read: S.L. Bhyrappa Cremated With State Honors in Mysuru

Mysuru Police, under intense pressure amid the festival's aftermath, sprang into action with a high-stakes manhunt. CCTV footage from the exhibition grounds proved pivotal, capturing the suspect's movements and leading investigators to 28-year-old Karthik from Siddalingapura in Kollegal, Chamarajanagar district. When officers cornered him in a tense early-morning raid, Karthik allegedly resisted arrest and attempted to flee, prompting police to fire warning shots. In the ensuing scuffle, he sustained a bullet wound to his leg and was subdued without further incident. Now under custody and receiving medical treatment, Karthik faces charges under the POCSO Act for aggravated sexual assault and murder, with forensic teams combing the scene for DNA evidence and other clues.

The victim's body was swiftly transported to KR Hospital for a detailed post-mortem, the results of which are expected to confirm the family's worst fears and provide critical leads for the prosecution. As the investigation deepens, police are probing Karthik's background—no prior criminal record has surfaced yet, but his proximity to the camp during the festival raises questions about opportunistic predation amid the crowds.

The Hakki Pikki community, traditionally forest-dwellers known for their herbal knowledge and migratory trades, is reeling from the loss. "She was our little spark, always smiling while chasing customers with her balloons," a teary-eyed relative told reporters, clutching a faded photo of the girl in a bright frock. The family, who had been in Mysuru for weeks scraping together a living, now grapples with grief and the harsh realities of vulnerability for migrant workers during peak tourist seasons.

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with Mysuru's district CPI(M) secretary Jagadish Surya calling it "extremely disturbing and shocking." He highlighted it as the second murder in the city just as Dasara wrapped up, urging the Karnataka government to bolster security for informal vendors and children in public spaces. Activists from women's rights groups like the Karnataka Mahila Okkuta have demanded a fast-track court trial and stricter enforcement of anti-rape laws, decrying the pattern of violence against minors in tourist hotspots.

Dasara 2025, themed around "Many Voices, One World," celebrated unity and heritage with grand processions and cultural displays. Yet, this brutal crime underscores a grim underbelly: the risks faced by marginalized families fueling the festival's vibrancy. As Mysuru returns to normalcy, the community vows justice for the little girl whose laughter was silenced too soon. Police assure the public that every resource is being deployed to ensure the perpetrator faces the full weight of the law, but for now, the Palace grounds echo with unspoken sorrow.

Also Read: Karnataka to Honor S L Bhyrappa with Memorial in Mysuru