A rape suspect, 26-year-old Manjunath from Kamalapura, Vijayanagara district, was shot in the leg after attempting to flee police custody on Thursday morning in Torangal town, Ballari district. The suspect had been apprehended in connection with an assault on a minor earlier in the week.
Police sources revealed that Manjunath lured the minor away on January 13 while intoxicated, as captured by CCTV footage. He later abandoned her in a deserted house, leaving her injured. The child underwent surgery at a hospital and is now recovering.
Following the incident, Ballari police formed three teams to trace and arrest the suspect, ultimately locating him in Hulagi, Koppal district. On Thursday, as part of the investigation, Manjunath was taken to the crime scene for a mahajar (crime scene reconstruction). During this process, he reportedly assaulted head constable Raghupathy and attempted to escape.
In response, Police Sub-Inspector Dakesh fired at the suspect, injuring his right leg. Manjunath was subsequently hospitalized at VIMS Hospital and remains in police custody as the investigation continues.