## Karnataka CM Orders CID Probe and Special Court for Hubballi Student Murder Case
Following the brutal murder of Neha Hiremath, a 23-year-old student, on the campus of BVB College in Hubballi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced a series of actions to ensure swift justice.
The case has sparked widespread outrage and political controversy, with the ruling Congress and opposition BJP trading accusations.
CID Investigation: The case has been handed over to the Crime Investigation Department (CID) for a thorough investigation.
A special court will be set up to expedite the trial and ensure a speedy resolution.
The Chief Minister has assured protection to all citizens and reiterated his commitment to delivering justice for Neha.
Based on the victim's father's statement, the investigation will also explore the involvement of four additional suspects.
Neha Hiremath, a first-year Master of Computer Application (MCA) student, was allegedly stabbed to death on Thursday by Fayaz Khondunaik, a former classmate. Khondunaik was arrested by the police after fleeing the scene.
The murder has triggered a political slugfest, with the Congress attributing it to a personal motive while the BJP has termed it a "love jihad" case and a reflection of the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.
Student organizations affiliated with the BJP and Hindutva groups have staged protests demanding justice for Neha and severe punishment for the accused. Similar protests have been reported in other parts of the state.
The Chief Minister claimed that crime rates have decreased during the Congress rule, citing statistics from 2023 and the previous four years under the BJP government.
The Karnataka government has expressed its strong condemnation of Neha's murder and assured swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice. The formation of a special court and the CID investigation demonstrate the government's commitment to ensuring a fair and speedy trial.