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The First Additional District and Sessions Court in Hubballi on Monday, August 4, rejected the bail plea of Fayaz Khondunayak, the prime accused in the murder of MCA student Neha Hiremath, who was killed on her college campus in April 2024. Judge Pallavi BR pronounced the order after hearing arguments from both sides, and the case has been posted to August 6 for fixing the date of trial.
Neha Hiremath, 24, was a first-year MCA student at KLE Technological University and the daughter of Hubballi-Dharwad municipal councillor Niranjan Hiremath. She was allegedly stabbed to death on campus by Fayaz, her former classmate, on April 18, 2024. According to the police, Fayaz had tried to pursue a romantic relationship with Neha, which she had repeatedly rejected. Her family had also warned him to stay away.
On the day of the murder, Neha was leaving the campus after completing an exam when Fayaz intercepted her and stabbed her multiple times in front of other students. CCTV footage captured the brutal attack. She was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to her injuries on the way. Fayaz fled the scene but was arrested within two hours. The case was later handed over to the CID for investigation.
During the bail hearing, Fayaz’s lawyers argued that the arrest process was flawed, but Special Public Prosecutor Mahesh Vaidya, along with Raghavendra Muttagikar representing Neha’s family, countered that all legal procedures were followed. “After hearing the arguments, the court rejected the bail application. The date of the trial will be fixed on August 6,” Vaidya told reporters.
Neha’s father expressed satisfaction over the court’s decision and urged for a speedy trial to ensure justice for his daughter. Earlier in the day, members of Shri Ram Sena held a rally in Hubballi demanding the death penalty for the accused.