Mysuru: The Court in Mysuru set up to prosecute the accused booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has found Karthik of Siddalingapura guilty of raping and murdering a nine-year-old girl last Dasara.

The girl had come to the city with her family to sell balloons. The incident had shocked the city. The girl belonged to a nomadic family that had travelled from Kalaburagi to Mysuru to sell balloons, toys and plastic items during the festival.

Judge Anand P. Hoogade pronounced the verdict yesterday, finding Karthik guilty. The accused was produced before the judge in person today, having appeared virtually yesterday. After confirming his identity, the judge said the quantum of punishment would be pronounced on Oct. 17.

Public Prosecutor K.B. Jayanti argued the case on behalf of the State, while Machangada S. Naveen of the District Legal Cell represented the accused.

Around 50 nomadic families had pitched tents near Doddakere Maidan (Dasara Exhibition Grounds) to conduct business during Dasara. After selling their wares until midnight on Oct. 7, 2025, the families retired for the night.

At around 4 am, heavy rain forced them to adjust their shelters when they realised that the girl was missing. Despite a frantic search in the rain, the child’s body was found near the tents at around 6.30 am. Her lower garments were missing, and she had sustained head injuries caused by a stone.

Crucial Police investigation

With the help of an auto driver, Mubarak, the family lodged a complaint at Nazarbad Police Station. With no eyewitnesses to the crime, the Police examined CCTV footage from the area around the Dasara Exhibition Grounds and checked the records of offenders with similar criminal histories.

Footage from the Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Circle (Hardinge Circle) showed a man walking in the area in the early hours of that morning. Further investigation led the Police to identify him as Karthik, who had previously been convicted in 2019 for attempting to rape a girl near JSS College bridge in Kollegal and trying to drown her.

He was sentenced to four years in prison in 2025 in that case but was out on bail after appealing to the High Court. A special Police team formed by City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar traced Karthik to Kollegal.

He was arrested on Oct. 8, 2025, with the assistance of the local Kollegal Police. During interrogation, he confessed to raping and murdering the minor girl.