Neha Hiremath, 23, a first year student of Master of Computer Applications (MCA) at BVB College (affiliated to KLE Technological University) in Hubballi, was stabbed to death in broad daylight on the campus of her college in Hubballi on Thursday, April 18, 2024. The youth who stabbed her multiple times on campus was her classmate Fayaz Khondunaik (Khandunayak).[1][2] The news made big headlines not only in the state of Karnataka, but in India as well.
Background
Neha Hiremath was the daughter of Congress councillor of Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) Niranjan Hiremath. She was studying Computer Science at BVB College Hubballi, Karnataka. Fayaz was also studying in her class and her father said that he was approaching her to marry him, but she had denied it. Fayaz hails from Munavalli in Savadatti Taluk in Belagavi district. His parents, Baba Saheb and Mumtaz, are government school teachers.[3] Baba Saheb Subani, a school teacher and the father of 23-year-old Fayaz, told the media that eight months ago, the family members of the victim, Neha Hiremath, had called him and informed that his son was troubling her.[4][5]
Murder
On April 18, 2024, at around 4:30 PM, when Neha Hiremath was coming out of her class in the BVB College campus, her classmate Fayaz suddenly approached her and stabbed her 7-8 times and fled the scene[6]. She was taken to the nearby hospital for the treatment. But, she succumbed to her injuries in a few minutes later. Police later arrested the accused person Fayaz and FIR has been registered.[7]
The Postmortem report was released on April 23, 2024. As per that, “The stab marks were found in the neck and heart regions. There were also wounds on the back. In total, 14 wounds were found, of which the deepest was in the neck at 2 inch. The girl lost her life just 58 seconds after the attack as the stab wounds ruptured her neck region cutting off the air pipes and blood circulation."[8]
Aftermath
On Sunday, April 21, 2024, BJP Party in Karnataka called for statewide protest on Monday, April 22, 2024 over the murder of 23-year old college student, Neha Hiremath in Hubballi.[9] Muslim organisations have also given a call for a ‘bandh’ (strike) on Monday, condemning the murder of 23-year-old college student Neha Hiremath in Hubballi.[10]
Karnataka police have arrested two youths who allegedly “justified” the murder of Neha Hiremath on social media with posts alleging that she was in a relationship with the accused, Fayaz Khondunaik.[11]
A "bandh" was observed on Monday, April 22, 2024 in Hubballi - Dharawad in solidarity with the victim's family.[12]
Investigation
On April 22, 2024, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said the investigation into the murder of Hubballi student, Neha Hiremath, will be handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).[13][14]
On April 24, 2024, the accused in the murder case of Neha Hiremath, daughter of Niranjan Hiremath, a Congress councilor in the Hubballi Dharwad Municipal Corporation, was sent to a 6-day Criminal Investigation Department (CID) custody.[15][16][17]
On May 27, 2024, senior CID officer met the family of Neha Hiremath in Hubballi and assured them of justice.[18]