Following the tragic murder of Neha Hiremath, a 21-year-old student at KLE Technological University in Hubballi Dharwad, the prime suspect, Fayaz Khodunaik, has been remanded to a 6-day Criminal Investigation Department (CID) custody. The case has sparked intense scrutiny and calls for justice from the victim’s family and political circles.
Neha Hiremath was allegedly stabbed to death on April 18 by Fayaz Khodunaik, her former classmate, on the university campus. The swift arrest of Fayaz by the police led to his initial remand in judicial custody for 14 days. However, the CID later secured his custody for further investigation, including his transfer from Dharwad to Hubballi.
While initial investigations suggest a prior relationship between Neha and Fayaz, her family has claimed that Fayaz had been harassing her and that she had rejected his marriage proposal. This narrative has added layers of complexity to the case, with demands for stringent punishment for the accused, including calls for the death penalty.
The victim’s father, Niranjan Hiremath, a Congress councilor, has vehemently demanded the death penalty for Fayaz. This stance has been echoed by some political figures, highlighting the emotional intensity and public outrage surrounding the case. In contrast, the BJP has criticized the Congress, citing concerns over law and order, “love jihad” allegations, and accusations of minority appeasement.
The case has reignited debates on women’s safety and the prioritization of public security over political considerations. The BJP’s national spokesperson, Shehzad Poonawalla, has accused the Congress of neglecting women’s safety in favor of vote bank politics, highlighting broader concerns about societal attitudes and political accountability.
Sources By Agencies
