Police inspector Shivayogi Lohar, suspended for suppressing a ‘Love Jihad’ case!

Dharwad (Karnataka) – A minor girl from Garag village in Dharwad taluka was trapped in a “Love Jihad” case. She committed suicide because Naheem Baig and Sohail Mulla had physical relations with the girl and later circulated her obscene photographs on social media. Hindu organisations strongly demanded that Naheem Beg and Sohel Mulla be immediately arrested under the POCSO Act and charged under provisions that could lead to capital punishment. Following the protests, Dharwad Superintendent of Police Gunjan Arya suspended Lohar.

Key developments:

1. The minor victim died by suicide on May 8th. Since then, allegations had been made that the case involved ‘Love Jihad’. Serious allegations have been levelled, that instead of promptly registering a criminal case, Inspector Lohar attempted to settle the matter and suppress the allegations.

2. On June 12th, activists from organizations including Bajrang Dal, Shri Ram Sena, and VHP staged a large protest in Garag village, demanding strict action against the guilty police officials concerned. Following this, the Superintendent of Police suspended Inspector Lohar.

3. The prolonged demonstrations by activists created a tense atmosphere in the area. A large police force was deployed to maintain law and order.

4. During the protests, several Hindu activists and leaders criticized the state’s Congress government, Home Minister Priyank Kharge, and the police administration. They alleged that Muslim youths who had used a Hindu girl for ‘Love Jihad’ and drove her to suicide had not been arrested by the police for several days. They demanded that the accused be awarded the death penalty.

5. Dharwad Superintendent of Police Gunjan Arya visited the protest site and accepted a memorandum from the demonstrators. The case has since been transferred to the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) for further investigation. According to Arya, the investigative team is conducting a more detailed inquiry into the matter. He stated that if the victim’s parents provide information indicating the involvement of additional individuals, cases will be registered against them as well, and the investigation will proceed impartially.