Gadag: Former Chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai alleged that although Anjali had lodged a death threat complaint, the police did not arrest the accused and indirectly caused Anjali’s murder. He claimed that the police are being used to suppress political opponents in the state.
Speaking to the media in Gadag today, he lashed out at the state government over the Neha and Anjali murder cases that occurred in Hubli. “There is a complete failure of the police in this case. The accused in Anjali’s murder case had threatened that he would kill her just like Neha Hiremath. Anjali’s family also complained about this,” said Bommai, adding that this murder could have been avoided if the police had arrested the accused. He criticized the police for indirectly causing the murder by not preventing it.
Bommai stated that law and order has completely deteriorated in the state, alleging that the police are being used to eliminate political opponents. He accused the police of filing cases against opposition activists and being deeply involved in illegal activities such as gambling, betting, and sand mining businesses. He further alleged that officials and the entire state government are mired in corruption, asserting that the entire system is in disarray. He made a serious allegation that the Congress government is responsible for the deterioration of law and order.
“Goondas are roaming freely and fearlessly in the state. There is no safety for the lives of common people and girls in the state. There is an atmosphere of fear, an atmosphere of hooliganism in the state,” he stated.
Bommai said,”We did not do politics in Neha’s case. A murder on a college campus in broad daylight, but should I just sit back? If the Congress leaders were in the opposition party, would they just sit idly by?” He questioned the deteriorating situation, highlighting the contrast between Neha’s murder in front of a thousand students and Anjali’s murder where the accused forcibly entered her house. He asked, “Is this not a Goonda Raj?” He criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Home Minister Dr. Parameshwara for their inaction.
Bommai questioned why Home Minister Parameshwar did not show up when Neha was killed and failed to expedite the investigation. He criticized their indifference even when Anjali was killed. He cited incidents of violence against women in Haveri and Belgaum districts, demanding accountability from the Congress.