Senior Karnataka ministers visited the injured victims of a suspected honour killing in Hubballi on Saturday, pledging government support and swift justice. District in-charge minister Santosh Lad, legislative council chairman Basavaraj Horatti, and former minister Shankar Patil Munenakoppa met the affected family in the wake of the shocking crime in Inam Veerapur village.
Compensation and Condemnation at the Hospital
During the visit, Minister Santosh Lad presented personal financial assistance of Rs 2.5 lakh to the family of Vivekanand Doddamani. Doddamani's pregnant wife was allegedly murdered by her own father in an incident that has sent shockwaves through the region. Reports indicate the family initially refused the cash compensation, demanding stringent punishment for the accused instead. Lad persuaded them to accept the support while firmly assuring them of justice.
Lad also directed doctors at the hospital to provide the best possible medical care to the injured. He strongly condemned the act, linking it to the teachings of social reformer Basavanna. "Basavanna taught that kindness is the core of religion. A father killing his own daughter is a blot on society," Lad stated, highlighting the tragic nature of the crime.
Caste Discrimination and Administrative Action
The minister revealed that the Doddamani family, followers of Basavanna and B.R. Ambedkar, had been facing caste-based discrimination. To address the underlying social tensions, the government plans to convene special meetings in Inam Veerapur village to promote communal harmony and unity. "We will convince villagers to live with mutual trust and ensure justice for the aggrieved family," Lad told reporters.
On the administrative front, immediate action has been taken against officials for dereliction of duty. Two police constables and the Belagali Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) have been suspended. Furthermore, Dharwad Deputy Commissioner Divya Prabhu GRJ has ordered a formal inquiry into the incident. Minister Lad confirmed that further action will be based on the findings of this report.
Case Transferred, Arrests Made
In a significant development, the investigation has been escalated. Police sources confirmed that the case has been transferred from the Hubballi Rural police station to the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE). This move places the probe under the stringent provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. So far, eight accused individuals have been arrested, and a search is ongoing for others involved.
Other leaders echoed the sentiments of condemnation. Basavaraj Horatti and Shankar Patil Munenakoppa, who also visited the injured, termed the incident an "insult to a civilised society." Munenakoppa pointed to lapses by officials from the social welfare and women and child welfare departments, suggesting that timely intervention could have potentially prevented the crime. The visits were attended by several Dalit activists, underscoring the community's concern over the incident.
