What Happened to the Minor's Sexual Assault and Murder Accused Shot by Police in Karnataka?

Synopsis
In a shocking incident from Hubballi, Karnataka, a court has ordered the disposal of the body of a man accused of kidnapping and murdering a five-year-old girl. After being shot by police during an arrest attempt, the case raises serious questions about justice and public safety.
Key Takeaways
- The court has mandated the disposal of the accused's body.
- Ritesh Kumar was involved in a serious crime against a minor.
- Police shot him during an arrest attempt.
- Efforts are underway to locate his family.
- The incident has sparked public outrage and calls for justice.
Hubballi (Karnataka), April 29 (NationPress) A court in Hubballi, Karnataka, has ordered the disposal of the body of the individual accused of the kidnapping, sexual assault, and murder of a minor girl, who was subsequently shot by police. The authorities have been unable to locate the family of Ritesh Kumar, 35, despite extensive efforts by the state police in Bihar. This led to the court's directive.
Kumar was shot on April 13 while attempting to flee from police during a visit to his residence.
Previously, the court had mandated that authorities follow the Supreme Court guidelines regarding the treatment of the accused’s body and also required the preservation of body part samples for potential evidence in the investigation.
The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Karnataka Unit, along with women’s rights activist Madhu Bhushan, filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the matter.
The petitioner's counsel emphasized that preserving the body was crucial for evidence during the investigation; cremating it would result in the loss of vital evidence, undermining the rule of law.
After performing an autopsy, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute (KMRCI) in Hubballi awaited the court's instructions regarding the body’s disposal, as it was in an advanced state of decomposition.
The CID notified the court about the urgency of the situation, leading to its approval for disposal.
The CID has stated that they will carry out the final rites of the accused's body by Wednesday (April 30).
Investigations revealed that Kumar claimed to be from Patna. The police have deployed three teams to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and other northern regions to locate his family.
This harrowing incident surfaced in Hubballi on April 13, when Kumar allegedly attempted to sexually assault a five-year-old girl and subsequently strangled her to death when she resisted.
The crime occurred within the jurisdiction of the Ashokanagar police station in Hubballi.
According to police reports, the accused lured the girl to a shed to carry out the assault. When she cried for help, nearby residents rushed to the scene.
Seeing the crowd, the accused allegedly killed the girl and fled. Disturbing CCTV footage showing him carrying the girl away sparked public outrage.
Police Sub-Inspector Annapoorna, who fatally shot the accused, gained public acclaim for her actions.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi expressed his sorrow over the tragic rape and murder of the five-year-old girl in Hubballi, describing it as profoundly shocking.
"During the arrest, the accused attempted to escape and assaulted the police. Consequently, they had to shoot him, and he succumbed to his injuries. Reports suggest he had been under the influence of drugs, an increasing concern in Karnataka that necessitates strict action," he added.