Police in Hubballi fatally shot a 35-year-old man, Nitesh Kumar, who was the prime suspect in the kidnapping and murder of a young girl. The encounter occurred when Kumar reportedly attacked the police team during the process of verifying his identity.
BY PC Bureau
April 13, 2025 : A man accused of kidnapping and murdering a five-year-old girl in Hubballi was killed in an encounter with police today, officials confirmed. A policeman sustained injuries during the operation.
The deceased, identified as 35-year-old Nitesh Kumar, allegedly attacked a police team after his apprehension. According to police sources, despite a warning shot being fired, Kumar attempted to flee the scene.
“Nitesh Kumar’s hometown is Patna in Bihar. The police team was taking him to his place of stay to ascertain his identity when he attacked the team,” Hubballi Police Chief Shashi Kumar told reporters. He further stated that Kumar also damaged a police vehicle during the incident.
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“Meanwhile one of the police officers fired in the air, but he tried to escape. Two more rounds were fired at him. He was immediately taken to hospital, where the doctors declared him brought dead,” the police chief added.
Sub-inspector Annapurna reportedly fired the two rounds that led to Kumar’s death, after which the police team secured him. The accused also faced charges of rape in addition to murder under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Union Minister and Dh
The accused of 5 yrs old baby kidnapper & killer (alleged rapist) has been killed in the encounter.
The incident occurred at the Ashok Nagar police station limits here and the body was found in an abandoned building.Accused in the brutal murder of a five-year-old girl was shot… pic.twitter.com/njOgGswJoR— Karnataka Portfolio (@karnatakaportf) April 13, 2025
arwad MP Pralhad Joshi termed the incident “unfortunate.” Speaking to reporters, he said, “He was more violent against the police force and that time the action took place… The father and mother of the child are daily wagers. The government should provide them a good amount of compensation so that they can take care of their another child, who is differently abled.”
The tragic incident unfolded after the five-year-old girl was allegedly kidnapped and killed following a suspected sexual assault. This had triggered outrage among local residents, who gathered in large numbers in front of the Ashok Nagar police station demanding justice.
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The victim’s family hails from Koppal district. Her mother works as a house help and an assistant at a beauty parlour, while her father is a painter. The child was reportedly taken while accompanying her mother to work in the locality.
VIDEO | Karnataka: “There was an incident where a body of a 5-year-old was found… The accused tried assaulting the police and pelted stones. Our one officer opened fire to stop him and 2 rounds at him. He was admitted l for medical aid and was declared dead in the hospital,”… pic.twitter.com/q7PIOqCJa3
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 13, 2025
“On searching, the girl was found in the bathroom of a small sheet roofed building in front of the house from where she had gone missing. She was immediately shifted to hospital, where she was declared brought dead,” a police official had earlier stated.
Police had been investigating the case and had reportedly used CCTV footage to identify and locate the suspect, Nitesh Kumar. The encounter brings a swift, albeit controversial, end to the police pursuit in this deeply disturbing case.
