On April 20, the Hubballi-Dharwad police apprehended two individuals, Sadiq Imam Saab Tadakoda and Adil, both residents of Dharwad, in connection with their social media posts justifying the brutal stabbing of Neha by Fayaz, her former classmate, in Hubballi. The tragic incident occurred on April 18 at BV Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering and Technology in Hubbali, where Fayaz fatally assaulted Neha after she reportedly rejected his proposal of a relationship.
Sadiq and Adil came under scrutiny after pro-Hindu activists lodged a complaint at Vidyagiri Police Station regarding their online activities. The duo had taken to social media platforms to assert that Neha and Fayaz were involved in a romantic relationship. Numerous posts, predominantly by individuals identified as Islamists, surfaced with captions such as “Justice For Love” and “Justice For True Love,” rationalising Fayaz’s violent actions.
Even certain individuals purporting to be journalists indirectly insinuated that Neha and Fayaz shared a romantic bond. Nabila Jamal, in a post, insinuated, “As the family comes to terms with the loss, here’s a video that’s surfaced showing a picture compilation of Neha & Fayaz looking visibly comfortable as friends… End reality is unthinkable.” Accompanying the text was a photo montage featuring Neha and Fayaz, possibly sourced from Neha’s now-deleted Instagram account, with the video bearing the India Today logo.
The fatal stabbing of Neha Hiremath, daughter of Congress Corporator Niranjan Hiremath, occurred on April 18th at B V Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering and Technology in Hubbali, where she was pursuing her first year of MCA. Fayaz, her assailant, was also a student at the same institution, having been classmates with Neha. He hailed from Savadatti in Belagavi district. While Neha continued her studies to pursue MCA after completing her BCA, Fayaz discontinued his education.
Reports indicate that Fayaz lay in wait for Neha outside the college premises and launched a vicious attack upon her with a knife upon her emergence. CCTV footage captured the horrifying incident, wherein Fayaz repeatedly stabbed Neha in the neck, while concealing his identity with a mask. After inflicting fatal injuries on Neha, the assailant fled the scene, weapon in hand.
Subsequently, Fayaz was arrested by law enforcement officials in connection with the murder. Following the tragic event, a wave of support for Fayaz surged on social media platforms, asserting that the incident was not a case of “love jihad” but rather an expression of “true love.”
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