In a dramatic turn of events, Congress Councillor Niranjan Hiremath has unleashed scathing criticism against his own party, openly accusing the Karnataka government of incompetence in apprehending the perpetrators behind his daughter’s murder. Neha Hiremath, a first-year Master of Computer Applications student at KLE Technological University in Hubballi, was tragically killed by her former classmate Fayaz on the college campus earlier this month, sparking widespread outrage and protests across the state.

Hiremath, in an exclusive conversation with news agency ANI, has publicly named eight individuals whom he suspects to be involved in his daughter’s murder. Expressing deep frustration with the lack of progress in the investigation, he lamented the failure of law enforcement to bring any suspects to justice. Hiremath’s outcry has reached a crescendo as he demands a transfer of the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), citing a loss of faith in the state police’s ability to handle the matter impartially.

Support for Hiremath’s call for a CBI probe has emerged from unexpected quarters, with BJP National President JP Nadda echoing the demand during a visit to Hiremath’s residence. Nadda condemned the Karnataka government’s alleged attempts to influence the investigation, asserting that the case must be handed over to the CBI to ensure a fair and transparent inquiry. He criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Home Minister G Parameshwara for their statements, which he claimed could undermine the integrity of the investigation.

The tragic murder of Neha Hiremath has transformed into a political battleground between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP in Karnataka, with both parties vying to shape the narrative surrounding the incident. While the Congress attempts to portray it as a personal tragedy, the BJP has seized upon it as a manifestation of “love jihad” and a symptom of the state’s deteriorating law and order situation.

In response to the escalating tensions, Muslim organizations have called for a bandh, or a general strike, to protest Neha Hiremath’s murder. Dharwad-based Anjuman-e-Islam President Esmail Tamatgar announced that Muslim businessmen would observe the bandh as a mark of condolence and to denounce the brutal nature of the crime.