Mysuru court hands down death penalty to man for brutal assault and murder of minor during festival

A special court in Mysuru has ordered the death penalty by hanging for a 32-year-old man convicted of assaulting and killing a young girl during the local festival period in late 2025.

The Trial And Verdict

Judge Anil P. Vaghade of the Fast Track Special Court-1 delivered the ruling on a Saturday, roughly one year after the tragic event occurred. The accused, named Karthik and living in Siddalingapura on the outskirts of Mysuru, worked as a bus cleaner on the Mysuru-Kollegal route. Police tracked him down and made an arrest within a day of the crime, later filing formal charges within three months. Special Public Prosecutor K.B. Jayanthi noted that the legal team built its case using medical facts, physical clues, and digital records. The prosecution drew heavily upon scientific findings from the State Forensic Science Laboratory in Bengaluru and post-mortem notes supplied by the Mysore Medical College and Research Institute. Former Mysuru MP Pratap Simha praised the quick action of law enforcement and the court decision, noting the initial distress the crime caused across Karnataka.

Context

Special courts set up under child protection laws in India handle cases involving minors with expedited trial procedures to ensure faster delivery of justice. High-profile verdicts involving capital punishment in child assault cases often prompt widespread public discussion surrounding legal deterrence and safety measures at crowded public gatherings.