10-year-old who died in Kolar had sustained bullet injuries:X-ray report confirms she was shot at by unidentified assailants; cops recreate incident

A shocking follow-up has emerged in the death case of a 10-year-old girl, named Riya Rajak, who died on Thursday after being hit by a bullet while playing near a tableau, the police reported on Friday. Initially suspected to be an accident, the cause of death was confirmed through an X-ray examination, which revealed that a bullet pierced her body between the shoulder and neck from above and was lodged near her waist, as per police. Police recreate scene Kolar police station TI Sanjay Singh Soni told Bhaskar English that on Friday morning, the police conducted a recreation of the incident at the spot with forensic experts present. The post-mortem was carried out, and the body was handed over to the family for the last rites. According to the police, once the post-mortem report is received, an FIR for murder against unidentified persons will be registered. The investigating police officials are also questioning licensed gun owners in the vicinity, suspecting celebratory firing during religious rituals as the cause. Family and eyewitnesses’ statements Riya’s father, Sunil Rajak, a water supplier, lives with his wife and three children in Rajharsh Colony of Kolar. On Thursday afternoon, Riya was playing with other children when she suddenly collapsed. Witnesses saw blood gushing from her wound. She was rushed to the JK Hospital but died within two hours due to excessive bleeding. Her uncle, Raj Rajak, who was present, recalled the incident, saying, “We were busy with arrangements at the pandal when suddenly Riya fainted and fell, bleeding heavily from her shoulder. Despite rushing her to hospital and arranging blood, she could not survive.” He added that the family bore no enmity with anyone and suspected an accidental celebratory shot had struck her. A neighbour, Sarla Dhuria, said the girl had suffered a minor electric shock earlier in the morning but later went to the pandal. Another eyewitness revealed that a pigeon also fell at the same time the girl was hit, suggesting a bullet or pellet was fired from above. Police lay focus on celebratory firing Senior police officials have suspected that the bullet may have been discharged during festive firing after weapon worship. Forensic teams are reviewing evidence and CCTV footage to trace the source. Police have assured the grieving family that strict action will be taken once the shooter is identified, in order to secure justice for the innocent child.