<p>Hubballi: Sriram Sena chief Pramod Muthalik urged the state government to set up a fast track court to hear Neha Hiremath murder case or hand it over to the CBI.</p><p>Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, Muthalik said when Neha Hiremath was killed by Fayaz on college campus, people from across the country criticised the incident. Later the ministers from the state government including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Home Minister G Parameshwara, Law Minister H K Patil, and AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala assured of setting up of a fast track court, appointing a special public prosecutor and giving capital punishment to culprit in 120 days.</p><p>“Even after nine months of the incident, the state government, which is busy in appeasement politics, has not done anything yet. The Congress government should set up a fast track court or handover the case to CBI,” he demanded.</p><p>Muthalik said if the government fails to set up a fast track court in the next 10 days, Sriram Sena members will take out a silent protest rally from BVB College to Hubballi Court. “We will also stage a dharna in front of the lawyers, who came forward to advocate for the murder accused Fayaz,” he said.</p><p>After Neha’s murder, Anjuman-E-Islam and several Muslim organisations said that no Muslim advocate will take up Fayaz’s case. But now Muslim lawyer has come forward to argue the case. Hence, the Muslim organisations should take the responsibility and convince the lawyer to withdraw from the case, he said.</p><p><strong>MLA’s role</strong> </p><p>Muthalik also alleged that an MLA from the state has been involved in the murder case. Therefore there is a delay in the progress of the case. He demanded that the investigation should be held properly. “If the court asks, I am ready to produce documents to prove the involvement of the MLA,” he claimed.</p><p><strong>Case status</strong></p><p>Neha, while returning from exams, was murdered by her friend Fayaz at BVB College campus in Hubballi on April 18, 2024. The state government handed over the case to CID for investigation. The investigating agency filed a chargesheet on July 8, 2024. The accused remained in judicial custody till today. </p><p>Meanwhile, advocates Z M Hattaraki and Arzoo M Mulla filed a criminal petition before the Karnataka High Court Dharwad Bench, demanding to transfer the case to Belagavi district citing local threat to Fayaz, and no advocate coming forward to argue the case in Hubballi. Sources said, the High Court will take the case for hearing on February 14. In Hubballi, First Additional District and Sessions Judge postponed hearing of the case to February 7.</p>
<p>Hubballi: Sriram Sena chief Pramod Muthalik urged the state government to set up a fast track court to hear Neha Hiremath murder case or hand it over to the CBI.</p><p>Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, Muthalik said when Neha Hiremath was killed by Fayaz on college campus, people from across the country criticised the incident. Later the ministers from the state government including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Home Minister G Parameshwara, Law Minister H K Patil, and AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala assured of setting up of a fast track court, appointing a special public prosecutor and giving capital punishment to culprit in 120 days.</p><p>“Even after nine months of the incident, the state government, which is busy in appeasement politics, has not done anything yet. The Congress government should set up a fast track court or handover the case to CBI,” he demanded.</p><p>Muthalik said if the government fails to set up a fast track court in the next 10 days, Sriram Sena members will take out a silent protest rally from BVB College to Hubballi Court. “We will also stage a dharna in front of the lawyers, who came forward to advocate for the murder accused Fayaz,” he said.</p><p>After Neha’s murder, Anjuman-E-Islam and several Muslim organisations said that no Muslim advocate will take up Fayaz’s case. But now Muslim lawyer has come forward to argue the case. Hence, the Muslim organisations should take the responsibility and convince the lawyer to withdraw from the case, he said.</p><p><strong>MLA’s role</strong> </p><p>Muthalik also alleged that an MLA from the state has been involved in the murder case. Therefore there is a delay in the progress of the case. He demanded that the investigation should be held properly. “If the court asks, I am ready to produce documents to prove the involvement of the MLA,” he claimed.</p><p><strong>Case status</strong></p><p>Neha, while returning from exams, was murdered by her friend Fayaz at BVB College campus in Hubballi on April 18, 2024. The state government handed over the case to CID for investigation. The investigating agency filed a chargesheet on July 8, 2024. The accused remained in judicial custody till today. </p><p>Meanwhile, advocates Z M Hattaraki and Arzoo M Mulla filed a criminal petition before the Karnataka High Court Dharwad Bench, demanding to transfer the case to Belagavi district citing local threat to Fayaz, and no advocate coming forward to argue the case in Hubballi. Sources said, the High Court will take the case for hearing on February 14. In Hubballi, First Additional District and Sessions Judge postponed hearing of the case to February 7.</p>
