Neha Was Friends With Accused Fayaz, Not Lovers, Says Victim's Father

Karnataka Congress Corporator Niranjan Hiremath clarified that his daughter Neha, who was tragically stabbed to death by a former classmate Fayaz inside a BVB college campus in Hubballi, was not in a romantic relationship with the accused but merely friends. He revealed that his daughter had rejected the perpetrator's proposals and warned him of filing a complaint if he persisted.

The incident occurred on Thursday when the accused, identified as Fayaz, attacked Neha, a 23-year-old Masters of Computer Applications (MCA) student, within the BVB College campus. CCTV footage captured Fayaz stabbing Neha multiple times before fleeing.

In an interview with a local TV channel, Hiremath described his daughter as "a very bold and brave girl" who was solely focused on her education and had no romantic involvement with the accused.

He recounted that Neha had consistently rebuffed Fayaz's advances and had even threatened to report him if he continued. Hiremath previously stated that Fayaz had proposed to his daughter, but she had declined due to their differing castes and her lack of interest in a relationship with him. Out of anger, Fayaz allegedly attacked and killed Neha.

The incident has sparked a political controversy in Karnataka, with the BJP and Congress trading accusations over a 'love jihad' angle. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi suggested that Neha's murder had a 'love jihad' element, insinuating that she was killed after rejecting advances. However, State Home Minister G Parameshwara refuted these claims, asserting that Neha and Fayaz were previously in a relationship that had turned sour.

Following Neha's tragic death, student groups, including ABVP, and pro-Hindu groups staged protests, demanding justice for the victim and the strictest punishment for the accused.