The Karnataka government has launched an enquiry into a police encounter in Hubballi, where a man accused of murdering a five-year-old girl was shot dead. The incident has shocked the public and raised questions about police conduct and the treatment of migrant workers.
The accused has been identified as 35-year-old Ritesh Kumar, reportedly from Patna in Bihar. However, police say they are still confirming his identity. Officials claim he had no valid documents and had been living in Hubballi for around three months.
Home Minister G Parameshwara addressed the media on Monday. He called the crime “ghastly” and confirmed the accused was shot during a police operation. According to the minister, the man attacked officers when they took him to his residence for inspection. The police opened fire in self-defence. He was taken to hospital but later died from his injuries.
Parameshwara said a senior-level enquiry would take place. “The facts will emerge after the probe,” he told reporters.
Also read: Murderer of 5-yr-old girl killed in police encounter
The Home Minister also commented on the role of migrant workers in crimes across Karnataka. He said migrant labourers arrive in large numbers, especially in cities like Bengaluru, and that their involvement in some crimes has been noted. “They do not understand the local culture,” he said, “and this often leads to issues.”
He added that while migrant movement could not be stopped, the government would consider regulation. He plans to meet with the Labour Department and other officials to decide on possible measures. “We need to take note of this. A joint meeting will be held,” he said.
The encounter took place on Sunday. Police said the accused had been detained based on CCTV footage and local input. During a three-hour interrogation, he allegedly confessed to kidnapping and murdering the child. Officers then took him to a deserted house where he claimed to be living.
At the location, police say the accused suddenly attacked them with stones and tried to flee. Police Sub-Inspector Annapurna fired a warning shot. When he continued to attack, she shot him. One bullet hit his leg, and another struck his back. The man collapsed and was taken to hospital, where he died.
Three officers were injured during the incident. They have been named as PSI Annapurna and constables Yashwant and Veeresh.
Hubballi Police Commissioner N Shashikumar defended the officers' actions. He said the police had used “minimum force” and acted only to stop the accused from escaping and to protect themselves.
The original crime occurred earlier the same day. The victim, a five-year-old girl, was the daughter of migrant workers from Koppal. Her father works as a painter, and her mother as a domestic helper. The child had accompanied her mother to work.
According to police, the accused lured the girl to a shed and tried to assault her. When she screamed, nearby residents rushed toward the scene. The accused then allegedly strangled the girl and fled.
Her body was later found in the shed. Police are awaiting the post-mortem report to confirm whether a sexual assault occurred.
The girl’s parents staged a protest outside Ashokanagar police station. They demanded strict action and expressed anger about safety conditions for children of working families.
Labour Minister Santhosh Lad visited the hospital and spoke with the family. He called the incident “inhuman” and said it had shamed society. “I couldn’t bear to see the girl’s body,” he said. He added that the post-mortem report would confirm whether she had been sexually assaulted.
The case has sparked broader debate about justice, policing, and migrant rights. Some human rights groups have raised concerns about the encounter, arguing that the accused should have faced trial. They stress the importance of due process.
Others have criticised the government’s comments on migrant workers. They say linking crime to migrants fuels discrimination and risks social division. Migrants play a major role in Karnataka’s construction and service sectors, and many law-abiding workers may now face suspicion.
As the enquiry proceeds, questions remain over how the case was handled — and how such crimes can be prevented in future.
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