Hubballi: District in-charge minister Santosh Lad, legislative council chairman Basavaraj Horatti, and former minister Shankar Patil Munenakoppa on Saturday visited those injured in a suspected honour killing case at Hubballi.Minister Lad presented personal compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh to the family of Vivekanand Doddamani, whose pregnant wife was allegedly killed by her father in Inam Veerapur village. The minister also instructed doctors to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured. Though the family initially declined the cash and demanded stringent punishment for the accused, Lad urged them to accept his support and assured them of justice.Speaking to reporters, Lad said the govt would convene meetings in Inam Veerapur to promote communal harmony and unity. “We will convince villagers to live with mutual trust and ensure justice for the aggrieved family,” he said.During his visit to Inam Veerapur, Lad observed that the Doddamani family, followers of Basavanna and BR Ambedkar, had faced caste-based discrimination. Calling the incident condemnable, he said, “Basavanna taught that kindness is the core of religion. A father killing his own daughter is a blot on society.”He praised police for protecting the injured and said the district administration and social welfare department had extended support, including groceries. Two constables and the Belagali PDO have been suspended for dereliction of duty. An inquiry has been ordered by Dharwad deputy commissioner Divya Prabhu GRJ, and action will follow based on the report, Lad added.Horatti and Munenakoppa later visited the injured and termed the incident an insult to a civilised society. Munenakoppa alleged lapses by social welfare and women and child welfare officials, saying timely action could have prevented the crime.Several Dalit activists were present during the visits. Meanwhile, police sources said the case has been transferred from Hubballi Rural police station to the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Eight accused have been arrested, and the search for others is under way.
