Biker loses control as police block road to impose fine, 3-year-old dies

The death of a three-year-old girl in Karnataka’s Mandya district as the fallout of traffic police’s action sparked protests and a roadblock on Monday (May 26).

The child, identified as Hrithiksha, had reportedly been bitten by a dog and was being rushed to hospital on a bike by her parents, Vani and Ashok, from Goravanahalli in Maddur taluk. Neither of them was wearing a helmet.

Near Nanda Circle on the Swarnasandra highway, traffic police stopped them for a fine. Ashok, in his hurry and faced with the sudden block, lost control of the bike. As they fell on the road, a passing mini-truck ran the child over, killing her instantly.

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Rs 25 lakh sought in compensation

Outraged by the incident, the public blocked the highway and staged a protest, demanding the suspension of the police officers and Rs 25 lakh in compensation for the parents. BJP leader Induwalu Sachidananda also joined the protest.

As locals condemned the police’s behaviour as “inhuman”, Mandya MLA and Congress leader Ravi Ganiga, too, strongly denounced the incident and directed that the traffic policemen be suspended. Mandya SP Mallikarjun Baladandi later confirmed that all three ASIs present on the scene had been suspended.

Speaking in Bengaluru, Opposition leader R Ashoka said the child’s death was a direct result of police negligence. He criticized the lack of discipline within the police department and insisted that the state government must provide Rs 25 lakh in compensation to the family.

(This article was originally pubished in The Federal Karnataka)