Mysuru: In the wake of the rape and murder of a 10-year-old girl from a nomadic community in Mysuru during Dasara last year, the City Police have stepped up vigilance over families who arrive in the city to sell balloons and toys during the festival.

The girl had come to Mysuru with her parents to sell balloons during the 2025 Dasara. She was sexually assaulted and murdered on the night of Oct. 8, 2025, at Doddakere Maidan near the Dasara Exhibition Grounds. The incident shocked Mysuru and drew widespread condemnation.

On the night of the incident, heavy rain forced several families staying in makeshift tents to remain inside. The girl was abducted from one such tent. Her body was found the following morning near a drain and a heap of mud.

Police investigation, aided by CCTV footage, led to the arrest of 31-year-old Kartik of Siddalingapura in Kollegala, Chamarajanagar district. A repeat offender with a criminal record, Kartik attempted to attack the Police while being taken into custody, following which he was shot in the leg.

Instructions issued: DCP (Law & Order)

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law & Order) Dr. Harsha Priyamvada told Star of Mysore that instructions had been issued to all Police Stations in the city to maintain vigilance over families arriving from different districts of Karnataka and neighbouring States.

“Families who come to Mysuru during Dasara to sell balloons and toys must be protected. Directions have been given to the respective jurisdictional Police Stations to maintain vigilance,” she said.

Every year, several families arrive in Mysuru during Dasara and put up temporary tents near Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Circle (Hardinge Circle) and the forecourt of the Mysore Palace. They stay there for nearly 20 days while selling balloons and toys at various locations.

More than 50 such families are expected to arrive in the city during the festival season. They travel from different parts of Karnataka and neighbouring States and depend on the Dasara season for their livelihood.

With entire families often moving out together in the evenings to sell balloons and toys, their safety remains a concern, particularly for women and children.

The incident last year highlighted the vulnerability of these families, who live in temporary shelters without the security arrangements available to regular residents.