Hubballi: In a deeply unsettling incident that has sent shockwaves throughout Karnataka, Ritesh Kumar (35) from Patna, Bihar, was killed in a police encounter after being accused of attempting to sexually assault and subsequently murder a minor girl. This tragic event unfolded on the outskirts of Tariahalli near Kalesetuve on April 13 and raises serious questions not just about the individual act of violence but about the broader state of law and order in Karnataka.
The police, led by Hubbali-Dharwad Police Commissioner N Shashikumar, revealed that Ritesh was taken into custody and then brought to the site where he resided for further questioning. During this process, he allegedly assaulted the police and made an escape attempt, leading to a chaotic confrontation that resulted in severe injuries and ultimately his death in the KMC Hospital. While the narrative presented by law enforcement highlights an immediate response to a chaotic situation, it also reflects a grim reality: the alarming ease with which such heinous crimes are committed and the desperate circumstances that bring law enforcement to use lethal force.
The details of this incident are horrifying. Ritesh lured the young girl under the false pretense of providing her with snacks, a cruel manipulation that culminated in her assault and murder in a shed near a residential area. Local residents were horrified to discover her body, prompting an uproar that lead to Ritesh’s quick apprehension. However, the brutal crime has set off a storm of protests, revealing an underlying frustration with the state government’s handling of safety and security issues that extend far beyond this singular incident.
Public demonstrations erupted not only in response to this heinous act but also as a manifestation of growing concerns over the state’s deteriorating law and order situation. Protesters gathered outside the Ashoknagar police station, demanding accountability and an end to the cycle of violence against women and children. In major parts of the city—Rani Chennamma Circle, KMC Hospital’s mortuary, and KMC Hospital’s main gate—demonstrators blocked roads and ignited tires in a poignant expression of their anger and desperation.
As the news of Ritesh’s death during the police encounter spread, many gathered outside KMC Hospital to cheer the police’s decisive actions, reflecting a disturbing sentiment that recognizes only its lawlessness by resorting to extrajudicial measures for justice.
Union Minister Joshi demanded Rs 25 lakh compensation
Union Minister Prahlad Joshi expressed his heartfelt sorrow over the incident while addressing the media in Hubbali. “I have grandchildren around that age, and it breaks my heart,” he stated, his voice filled with emotion as he met the grieving parents of the murdered girl. Joshi’s eyes welled with tears as he spoke to the media, sharing the profound pain he felt for the child’s family. “I cannot fathom the pain they are experiencing. I can only try to understand what they have lost,” he uttered, visibly shaken.
He expressed his concern over the current state of society, saying, “When I look at the direction in which our society is headed, I am filled with fear. We must all ask ourselves what kind of society we are building. What does a five-year-old girl even know about such darkness? What kind of mindset drives a person to commit such a heinous act against an innocent child?” His words resonated with deep anger and sorrow, reflecting the concerns of many in the community.
Adding to the conversation about the girl’s family, Minister Joshi highlighted their socio-economic struggles. “The girl’s parents are poor. They can only make a living through hard work. In such circumstances, how can they work now? Therefore, the state government must immediately announce Rs 25 lakh in compensation for the family of the deceased girl,” he urged, emphasizing the need for urgent support for those left behind in the wake of this tragedy.
In a swift response to the incident, the state government has announced a compensation package of Rs 10 lakh for the family of the murdered girl. Salim Ahmad, a member of the Legislative Council, confirmed the decision, stating, “As per the directive from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, a compensation of Rs 10 lakh has been announced for the victim’s family.”
