Hubballi Encounter: 35-Year-Old Bihar Man Accused of Raping, Killing 5-Year-Old Girl Shot Dead While Fleeing

Hubballi Encounter: A 35-year-old man accused of kidnapping, sexually assaulting, and murdering a five-year-old girl in Karnataka's Hubballi was shot dead in a police encounter on Saturday. One police officer was injured during the operation, officials confirmed.

The accused, identified as Nitesh Kumar, a native of Patna, Bihar, reportedly attacked a police team after being apprehended. Despite being warned with a warning shot, he attempted to flee, prompting the police to open fire.

"Nitesh Kumar attacked the team while he was being taken to his place of stay to verify his identity," Hubballi Police Commissioner Shashi Kumar said. "He also damaged a police vehicle. An officer fired a warning shot in the air, but when he tried to escape again, two more rounds were fired. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was declared brought dead."

Sub-inspector Annapurna fired the two rounds that ultimately stopped the accused. After being shot, the team managed to catch him again and took him to the hospital.

The accused was facing charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, including rape and murder.

Union Minister and Dharwad MP Pralhad Joshi called the case "deeply unfortunate" and demanded government support for the child's grieving family. "He was extremely violent with the police. The child's parents are daily wage earners and have another child who is differently abled. The government should ensure they are compensated adequately," he told reporters.

The horrific incident had earlier sparked outrage across the city. Large crowds gathered outside Hubballi's Ashok Nagar Police Station, demanding swift justice for the victim.

The girl's family hails from Koppal district. Her mother works as a house help and assistant at a beauty parlour, while her father is a painter. On the day of the incident, the mother had taken her daughter along to work. The girl went missing while the mother was working in nearby homes.

The child's body was later discovered in the bathroom of a small shed located near the house from where she had gone missing. CCTV footage helped police identify and trace the accused.