Hubli:

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday spoke to the father of deceased student Neha Hiremath over phone and expressed ‘sorrow’ over his daughter’s murder and assured that ‘we will be with you.’

The Chief Minister also asked Niranjan Hiremath, who is also a Congress councilor of Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation, about the government’s decision to hand over the murder case to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and set up a special court for fast-track trial. told. ,

“Niranjan…very sorry. We will be by your side,” Siddaramaiah told Hiremath over phone during state Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil’s visit to Hiremath’s house.

In Patil’s phone conversation with the speaker on, Siddaramaiah can be heard informing Hiremath about the CID investigation and setting up a special court. “This is a serious crime…by setting up a special court we will ensure punishment for the accused person.” Hiremath thanked Siddaramaiah on behalf of his family’s well-wishers and the community for handing over the case to the CID and setting up a special court.

He said, “…ensure that order is passed as soon as possible and we get justice.” He also thanked Patil, Home Minister G Parameshwara, local Congress MLA Prasad Abbayya and others for their support.

Responding to this, Siddaramaiah said, ‘We will ensure it as soon as possible.’ In a shocking incident, Neha Hiremath (23) was stabbed to death on the premises of BVB College last Thursday. The accused Fayaz Khondunaik fled from the spot, who was later arrested by the police.

Neha was a first year Master of Computer Applications (MCA) student and Faiyaz was previously her classmate.

Siddaramaiah had announced on Monday that his government has decided to hand over the investigation into the incident to the Criminal Investigation Department and set up a special court for speedy disposal of the case.

The brutal murder case, which sparked widespread outrage, has turned into a political tussle between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP. While the ruling party has tried to portray it as an incident from a personal perspective, the saffron party has described it as a “love jihad” case and said it is proof of the deterioration of law and order in the state.

Earlier, Siddaramaiah’s statement that the murder was due to “personal reasons” and Home Minister G Parameshwara’s remarks that the two were in love have drawn sharp reactions from Hiremath and family members and opposition parties.

Speaking to reporters later, Hiremath sadly apologized to the government, Congress leaders and the police for his comments against him and said they were made due to lack of information.

He said, “I was mourning the death of my daughter… I have come to know about the efforts of our party leaders to make the government aware of the facts of the incident. The government has also responded immediately. “

He further said, “I was upset that they (Congress government) were not doing anything and it is true that I had spoken against the government. I was upset that my own people did not stand with me …No one should do this.” Think about it otherwise…Being a Congress worker, if I have said anything wrong, I apologise.” All those working towards getting the order (CID probe and special court) Thanking the people, Hiremath said, due to lack of information, they also spoke against the police and the police commissioner, but after completing the rituals related to the death, they have come to know the facts regarding the impartial investigation. .

He said, “If anyone has been hurt by my statement then no one should take it otherwise, because I have said this out of sadness and lack of information. I have spoken against the government, I apologize.”

Also requesting that the special court and whatever law the government brings to deal with such incidents be named after his daughter Neha Hiremath, he said, “This is my personal request, if it is acceptable in law. ..So make strong laws.” A law should be brought to stop such heinous incidents.” Asked whether he was satisfied with the CID investigation or would demand a CBI probe, which he had requested for earlier, Hiremath said, “The investigation by the CID has not started yet, let them start the investigation.” ….”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)