The 19-year-old Basavaraj Madivalapaa Badiger, an autorickshaw driver at Saladahalli village, and his 18-year-old lover Davalbi Bandagisab Tambad, a resident of the neighbouring Khanapur, were allegedly murdered by the father and other family members of the girl.
Advocate Mehak Sahni on behalf of Tauseef has claimed that the investigation against him is politically motivated and he is being 'wrongly dragged' in the 'love jihad' angle.
While the marriage and subsequent conversion of a non-Muslim girl into Islam is actively encouraged, Hindu men falling in love with Muslim girls often face a brutal, violent end.