Karnataka physiotherapist's death takes political turn as mother alleges love jihad

The mysterious death of Sai Surabhi, a 26-year-old Bengaluru-based physiotherapist, has taken a political turn, as the victim’s mother had alleged that her death was linked to a case of ‘love jihad.’ While speaking to India Today on Tuesday, she said that Surabhi was relentlessly pursued and manipulated by her boyfriend, Mohammed Sanjeet Ali.

“Is this how cases like love jihad will continue? He tracked her down and killed her. She was always scared and kept telling me, ‘Mother, he will kill me. Please get me married somewhere far away so I can escape him.’ But he never left her alone. He came there too and took her away,” her mother said.

The case has drawn the attention of the political circles in the state, with pro-Hindu leaders like Tejas Gowda extending support to the victim’s family.

The woman further claimed that her daughter had been lured to an isolated location where no one could help her. She also alleged that the accused is a known history-sheeter, who has multiple cases registered against him.

The case relates to the death of 26-year-old physiotherapist Sai Surabhi, who was found dead under mysterious circumstances inside a room at a homestay near Muddenahalli in Karnataka’s Chikkaballapur district. Her boyfriend, identified as Mohammed Sanjeet Ali, was found unconscious at the scene and was hospitalised.

According to police, the couple had checked into the homestay and had been staying there for nearly three days before the incident came to light. Investigators recovered a rope, numerous tablets, signs of vomiting and a pillow from the room. No visible external injuries were found on Surabhi’s body.

Police are investigating multiple possibilities, including murder, suicide, poisoning or a suicide pact, and said the exact cause of death will be determined after the post-mortem examination.

The victim’s mother alleged that despite police protection and precautions taken by the family, her daughter was eventually located and influenced by the accused.

“He manipulated her in many ways and ultimately did this to her. My daughter is gone. I have nothing left,” she said.

Police said Ali remains under treatment and his statement is expected to play a key role in reconstructing the sequence of events. Investigators also confirmed that the couple had previously eloped despite objections from the woman’s family.

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