Overview
- The minor from a Hakki-Pikki family selling balloons during Dasara was found dead in a drain near the Exhibition Grounds early Thursday.
- Police citing the post-mortem say the child was raped and stabbed 19 times, and a medical test indicated the accused was in an inebriated state.
- Karthik was located within about 24 hours, allegedly fled by bus to Kollegal, and was arrested after police opened fire on his leg during an attempted escape.
- He allegedly attacked officers with a broken bottle during custody movement; he is hospitalised and, according to police, will be produced in court after discharge.
- Investigators registered a rape-and-murder case under POCSO, used CCTV and technical surveillance to build leads, and noted Karthik’s prior 2019 conviction with subsequent bail, which has intensified scrutiny of policing near the Palace area.