The Old Hubballi and Vidyanagar areas are in a state of high tension with the allegations of “Love Jihad” involving the sexual assault and blackmail of a young Hindu woman. Protests by right-wing activists led to a heated clash between two families on Thursday night when the accused man was beaten and two families were involved.
Sameer Mulla, a resident of Vijaynagar and a gym instructor, is in custody. But the incident has triggered a series of complaints and accusations against the accused and has put the city’s police force on high alert, too.
From Gym Acquaintance to Alleged Blackmail
In a telling video statement, the victim admitted that she met Sameer through his sister Taisim Mulla, who was her friend. She knew him from the gym as a fitness trainer and liked him as well. The friendship was also reported as extending to social events (like birthday and weekend parties).
The victim said on one occasion, Sameer took her to his house and gave her juice that was laced with a sedative. When she was unconscious, he raped her and recorded the act on his mobile phone. “He used that video to blackmail me into silence and continued the sexual harassment for a long time,” the victim said.
Vigilante Action and Retaliation
The matter came to light on April 2, when the victim’s family and pro-Hindu organisations learned about the ordeal. People on the street had followed Sameer and they had beaten him up and handed him over to the Old Hubballi police.
This triggered a secondary conflict:
- Assault on Victim’s Family: Believing Sameer was “kidnapped” by the woman’s family, Sameer’s relatives allegedly stormed the victim’s house in Vikasnagar, causing a ruckus and assaulting several people before fleeing as police arrived.
- Police Station Siege: Large crowds of activists gathered outside the Old Hubballi police station, demanding the strictest action against Sameer and calling for the permanent closure of the gym where the two met, labeling it a “Love Jihad hub.”
Conflicting Versions and Legal Action
Sameer’s parents, who took him to the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) for treatment following the assault by activists, denied the “Love Jihad” narrative. They claimed that the two were in a consensual relationship and that the allegations are being made by outsiders to incite communal tension.
Current Legal Status:
- Complaint 1: A case of sexual assault and blackmail has been registered at the Vidyanagar Police Station based on the victim’s statement.
- Complaint 2: A counter-complaint has been filed at the Ashok Nagar Police Station by Sameer’s family against the activists for kidnapping and physical assault.
The Hubballi-Dharwad police are also putting more forces in sensitive areas to prevent any further escalation. “We’ve recorded the victim’s statement and we are investigating both the rape allegations and the subsequent violence,” said a senior police official.
