Missing girl found grievously hurt

Mysuru: A six-year-old girl, who has reportedly gone missing since Tuesday evening, was found grievously injured under mysterious circumstances in Periyapatna on Wednesday morning.

The girl’s face was disfigured after suffering multiple injuries near eye and lips and a bite mark on her right cheek. Police said her vagina sample has been collected and sent for forensic examination to rule out any possibility of sexual assault.

The girl hails from Sathyagala A Kaval village in Periyapatna. Her father Ramesh, labourer, reportedly claimed that when he asked who did this to her, the girl took the name of one Sekhar, a relative and also a minor.

The girl was found lying in an agricultural field in the village in semi-conscious state and was in lot of pain. The girl was given first aid at Periyapatna hospital and later rushed to K.R. Hospital where a surgery was conducted on her face.

Girl’s uncle Muniramu told Deccan Chronicle outside K.R. Hospital that the girl’s pant and inner wear was missing when she was found by her father and was screaming in pain.

“She repeatedly was saying Sekhar took her. We suspect something bad has happened, but doctors and police are not saying anything,” he said.

Mysuru Superintendent of Police Abhinav Khare told this correspondent that the girl’s condition is still critical, but out of danger. “Doctors, who treated her, said the bite mark on the cheek might be caused by an animal like dog.

The bite mark is 5 cms deep. Doctors said prima facie there is no evidence of sexual assault in the case. But, her vagina sample has been collected and sent for forensic examination to substantiate the facts.

At this juncture, we can’t come to a definite conclusion. We are investigating the matter,” Mr Khare said.

Periyapatna police station sub-inspector Chikkaswamy said the girl didn’t return home since Monday evening.

The family thought she might be staying at one of their relatives’ house. “Yes, there is an allegation that she was taken by a relative’s boy,” he added.

The puzzling question is if the girl is attacked by an animal how did she escape with only one bite injury on face and how she has landed in an agricultural field?

Periyapatna police said the girl was in ICU and not in a position to give statement. “We will register the case based on family’s complainant and initiate necessary action after taking the girl’s statement,” they said.