• POCSO Fast-Track Special Court delivers judgement one year after crime
• CCTV footage, DNA evidence play a key role in identifying rapist-killer

Mysuru: The Fast-Track Special Court constituted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in Mysuru has sentenced Karthik, 32, to death for the rape and murder of a nine-year-old girl during last year’s Dasara festivities.

Judge Anand P. Hoogade pronounced the sentence in open Court this noon, with Karthik present. After the verdict was read out to him in Kannada, he remained expressionless.

Yesterday, when he was produced before the Court, Karthik had pleaded for mercy, telling the Judge that his brother was mentally challenged and that his father had left home following the incident, leaving him responsible for his brother’s care.

The Court, however, awarded him the death penalty today, citing the gravity of the crime.

The incident occurred on Oct. 9, 2025, when the victim, whose family had come from Kalaburagi to sell balloons during Dasara, was sleeping in a tent near the Dasara Exhibition Grounds.

Karthik, a resident of Siddalingapura and a bus cleaner on the Mysuru-Kollegal route, was found guilty of dragging the child away, sexually assaulting her and killing her. The crime triggered widespread outrage across the State.

Around 50 nomadic families had pitched tents near Doddakere Maidan, where the Dasara Exhibition is held, to conduct business during the festivities. After selling their wares until midnight, the families retired for the night.

At around 4 am, heavy rain forced them to adjust their shelters when they noticed that the girl was missing.

A search in the rain ended in tragedy when her 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.

CCTV and DNA evidence prove crucial

The case was registered at Nazarbad Police Station. CCTV footage and DNA evidence played a key role in identifying the accused, who was arrested within 24 hours.

During a spot mahazar, Karthik reportedly attempted to escape, forcing Sub-Inspector Jaikeerthi to shoot him in the leg before arresting him.

The prosecution heavily relied on DNA test reports from the State Forensic Science Laboratory, CCTV footage and fingerprint evidence to establish his guilt.

Stabbed 24 times

During her concluding arguments, Public Prosecutor K.B. Jayanti submitted that the child had been stabbed 24 times and described the convict as “unfit to live in society.”

She termed the verdict historic and said, it should serve as a deterrent to others contemplating similar crimes.

The Court also ordered compensation of Rs. 13.5 lakh to the victim’s family, of which Rs. 2.5 lakh has already been disbursed. “No amount of money can bring back the child, but justice has been served,” Jayanti said, commending the Police team for its meticulous investigation under severe public pressure.

Machangada S. Naveen of the District Legal Services Authority represented the accused.

Karthik had earlier been convicted in 2019 in a case involving an attempted rape of a girl near the JSS College bridge in Kollegal and an attempt to drown her. He was sentenced to four years in prison but was out on bail after filing an appeal before the High Court.

‘Justice delivered for the child’

This is a major victory for the Police and a significant development in delivering justice for the child. The case was cracked through a swift and coordinated investigation, reflecting the dedication of the Police and the trust reposed in them by the public.

On the day of the incident, Police personnel and officers across Mysuru joined hands to solve the case. Their collective efforts helped track down and arrest the accused within a day. The swift detection of the case demonstrates our commitment to maintaining public trust. I express my gratitude to every Police personnel involved in the investigation. Their teamwork and dedication have helped ensure justice for the child.

—Seema Latkar, City Police Commissioner