HUBBALLI, 20 APRIL 

The mother of 23-year-old Fayaz, who killed the daughter of a Congress councillor inside a college campus in Hubballi, apologised to the victim Neha's family for her son's act and demanded strict punishment for him.

There have been protests in several parts of the State demanding capital punishment for Fayaz, who has been arrested in connection with the incident that occurred on 18 April. 

With folded arms and tears in her eyes, the accused's mother Mamtaz, a teacher, said, "I apologise to the people of Karnataka as well as Neha's family for what my son has done. It is a great injustice to Neha and her family. What my son has done is completely wrong and we hang our heads in shame. What he did is a big mistake and he should be given strict punishment as per the law of the land," she said in Dharwad.

Mamtaz said that her son and Neha were not just friends but that they were in love. Recalling Neha as a good girl, Mamtaz said she came to know about their relationship a year ago. "It was Neha who made the first move and took his phone number. My son did tell me about Neha and that he was in love with her and they wanted to get married. But I had suggested that he first focus on his career.

"My son was brilliant and always secured above 90 per cent marks since LKG and UKG days. He wanted to become an IAS officer and was also a University Blue (bodybuilding competition) champion," she said. -PTI