Hubballi murder: Law and order in Karnataka heading towards Bihar, says Bommai

Hubballi: Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai expressed deep concern over the tragic murder of Neha Hiremath in Hubballi, labeling it as a shocking incident that “reflects a breakdown in law and order” in the state.

Bommai conveyed his sentiments to reporters after his visit to the mortuary at KIMS Hospital in Hubli on Friday morning.

Addressing the media, Bommai remarked, “Neha Hiremath’s murder incident is very sad and shocking. The law and order situation has collapsed in the state. Murder has become normal everywhere. The police should act properly. Otherwise, the condition of our state will become like Bihar.”

Bommai emphasized the unprecedented nature of the incident, highlighting that such a “gruesome act within a college campus in broad daylight has never occurred in Hubli before”. He expressed concern over the societal unrest indicated by such incidents, which ultimately lead to disharmony in society.

The former CM criticized the state government saying that rowdies and goondas seem undeterred by law enforcement and are operating with impunity. He asserted, “The rowdies and goondas are operating without fear of the police. They are getting royal respect.”

Earlier, police had said that Neha, the daughter of a Congress Corporator Niranjan Hiremath, was stabbed to death by her acquaintance Fayaz (23) inside the BVB college campus on Thursday after she allegedly rejected his proposal.

Fayaz, an MCA dropout, has been arrested in connection with the incident, police said, adding that both of them were batchmates during their BCA course.

(With PTI inputs)