Hubballi: Gym trainer thrashed for alleged rape, 'love jihad'; cops launch probe after families trade charges

The girl's family members alleged that the accused's relatives threatened and assaulted them.

Hubballi: Hindu activists and relatives of a girl's family alleged that a gym trainer tried 'love Jihad' on the girl and sexually assaulted her, while the accused's family members accused them of assaulting and kidnapping the boy, also refuting 'Love Jihad' allegation.

The girls' relatives and Hindu activists visited one Sameer Mulla's house at Rajnagar here on Friday and they handed him over to the police at Old Hubballi Station after locals thrashed him. The girl's family members also alleged that Sameer's relatives threatened and assaulted them at their house in Vikas Nagar.

Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar collected information from both parties and stated that a comprehensive inquiry would be conducted based on the complaints. The accused was hospitalised with minor injuries and appropriate action would be taken, he said.

Sameer's sister Taiseem stated that the his brother and the girl were in a relationship for three years and the girl used to visit his house along with her parents also. The girl's community members assaulted and kidnapped Sameer, she charged, adding that her family respects all religions and 'Love Jihad' was a baseless allegation.

The girl's father charged that Sameer's relatives attacked his house, threatened and assaulted them. Her mother charged Sameer of 'Love Jihad', blackmailing, and sexual harassment of the girl after making her drink some intoxicant.

Meanwhile, a video of the 20-year-old girl speaking on the incident was shared on social media platforms, in which she said Sameer had given her water mixed with some intoxicant, shot her video and sexually assaulted her. He did this to other girls also, she alleged. Later, she also lodged a complaint with Vidyanagar police, accusing Sameer of blackmailing and rape.

Later, a video of Sameer also surfaced, in which he said the girl herself had shot the video with him, and she is now making allegations due to the pressure from her parents and community.

Hubballi-Dharwad Urban Development Authority (HDUDA) former chairman and SSK community leader Nagesh Kalburgi termed the incident a 'Gym Love Jihad' of targeting and blackmailing girls, and urged the police to take stern action against those involved.