A Fast Track Special Court in Mysuru has sentenced 32-year-old Karthik to death after convicting him of the rape and murder of a nine-year-old girl during the 2025 Dasara festival. Judge Anil P. Vaghade delivered the verdict after the prosecution presented scientific and forensic evidence linking the accused to the crime. The victim had travelled from Kalaburagi with her family, who had come to Mysuru to sell balloons during the festival and were staying in a temporary tent near the exhibition grounds when the incident occurred on October 9, 2025.

According to the investigation, the child was allegedly abducted while sleeping with her family before being sexually assaulted and murdered. Nazarbad Police launched an intensive investigation and arrested the accused within 24 hours. During the trial, prosecutors relied on DNA analysis, postmortem findings from Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, and forensic reports from the State Forensic Science Laboratory in Bengaluru. After examining the evidence, the court found the accused guilty and imposed the death penalty.

The verdict has been welcomed by many in Karnataka, with former Mysuru MP Pratap Simha praising the police and the judiciary for ensuring justice in the case. The incident had sparked widespread outrage and raised concerns about the safety of children accompanying families who travel to major festivals to earn a livelihood. The judgment is being seen as a significant step in delivering justice to the victim’s family while renewing calls for stronger measures to protect vulnerable children at large public events.