A special court in Mysuru sentenced a man to death for the rape and murder of a nine-year-old girl who had travelled to the city with her family during the Dasara festival in 2025. The Indian Express reported that the court delivered the sentence on October 17, 2026, after convicting the accused earlier in the week.
Court’s reasoning
The report said the Special Fast Track Court-I, which hears cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, treated the offence as falling within the “rarest of rare” category. The prosecution relied on witness testimony, documentary material and forensic evidence. Media reports said 83 witnesses were cited in the chargesheet.
Background to the case
According to the published account, the crime occurred in October 2025 while the child was sleeping with her family in a makeshift shelter near the Mysuru Palace area. Her family had travelled to the city to sell goods during the festival. Police arrested the accused within a day, the report said.
Legal process and safeguards
A death sentence is subject to the applicable legal review and appeal process. Reporting the trial court’s sentence should not imply that all possible appeals have concluded. The case also illustrates the role of special courts in handling offences against children and the importance of evidence-based prosecution.
The child’s identity is not included here. Protecting the identity and privacy of child victims is a central legal and ethical responsibility when covering sexual offences. Public interest lies in accurate reporting of the proceedings, legal reasoning and safeguards—not in identifying the victim or publishing unnecessary details.
Source
This report is based on The Indian Express’s coverage of the Mysuru court verdict published on October 17, 2026.
