The murder of a rowdy-sheeter and prime accused in the Fazil murder case, Suhas Shetty has led to a political row and disruption in the law and order in Mangaluru city.
The Mangaluru Police have enforced prohibitory order across the city from Friday to May 6 amid escalating tension following murder of the Hindutva activist.
The incident took place on the evening of May 1 and according to PTI, the family of the deceased said that the last rites will be conducted in Bantwal after postmortem and a proper bandobust has been arranged.
Reportedly, 22 Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) platoons and five Superintendents of Police have come, and more than a thousand police personnel have also been deployed.
Karnataka BJP President B Y Vijayendra on Friday hit out at the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in the state over the murder of a Hindu activist and demanded an NIA investigation into the case.
Who Is Suhas Shetty?
Suhash Shetty was a prime accused in the 2022 sensational murder case of Mohammed Fazil in Surathkal.
Shetty, who was previously associated with the Bajrang Dal, had a history of criminal involvement, including five cases of murder and robbery registered against him in Mangaluru, Belthangady taluks.
According to PTI, he had come out of jail just a few days back after serving jail term for several crimes he was involved in.
Shetty was in his early thirties and his murder is seen as a potentially sensitive incident given his affiliations, and police have launched a manhunt to trace the culprits.
According to the police, the murder took place in Kinnipadavu in Bajpe on the outskirts of Mangaluru city at around 8.30 pm. Shetty was travelling in a vehicle with his group of associates when he was allegedly intercepted by five-six assailants who came in a car and a pickup vehicle.
The assailants attacked Shetty with lethal weapons, causing grievous injuries. He was immediately rushed to AJ Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Preliminary investigation has suggested that the attack was premeditated, though the motive remains unclear, police told PTI, adding that investigations are ongoing.
Prohibitory Order Imposed In Mangaluru
The Mangaluru Police have enforced prohibitory order across the city from Friday to May 6 amid escalating tension following murder of the Hindutva activist.
Following the incident, police enforced prohibitory order under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita across the Mangaluru City Police limits.
The order pronounced by City Police Commissioner, Anupam Agarwal, who also serves as the additional district magistrate, prohibits public gatherings, meetings, processions, sloganeering, and the carrying of objects that could be used as weapons.
The order aims to prevent potential flare-ups and maintain public order after the incident.
Karnataka Police Traces Culprits
Police have got information about the culprits behind the murder of rowdy-sheeter Suhas Shetty here, and action is being taken to arrest them soon, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Hithendra R said.
We have got to know about the culprits, their names and other details. Action is being taken to arrest them at the earliest," Hithendra, who rushed to Mangaluru on the instructions of Home Minister G Parameshwara told reporters here.
Replying to a question, he said, "If you see Mangaluru's history, none of this comes across as unnatural, and police will mercilessly take action against those involved." The Mangaluru Police have enforced prohibitory orders across the city from Friday to May 6 amid escalating tension following murder, under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.
The ADGP said, Police department requests cooperation from everyone in maintaining peace and order.
"We appeal to people not to heed any rumour. Police will update the factual information on the respective social media platforms," he said.
Karnataka Minister On The Murder
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Friday said that the government has taken the murder of Suhas Shetty in Mangaluru "very seriously", and asserted that the perpetrators will not be spared.
Calling for peace, he said, four police teams have been formed to catch the culprits, and the Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Hithendra R was sent to the spot. Additional forces have been rushed to Mangaluru, aimed at maintaining peace and harmony, he added.
"A gruesome murder has occurred in Mangaluru city at around 8:30 pm on Thursday. We have already taken note of it and we have in fact set up four different teams to catch the culprits. We are going to bring them to book. We will not have any compromise on this," Parameshwara said.
Speaking to reporters, he called the incident "unfortunate", stating that when the administration is trying to bring about peace and harmony in Dakshina Kannada, incidents like this should not deter that effort.
"We have taken it very seriously. I have sent the senior officer-- Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order). He has already gone there and additional forces have also been sent. So that peace and harmony can be maintained. We will not spare anybody, we will catch them (perpetrators) and bring them to books," he added.
BJP Hits Out At Congress-Run Government
Karnataka BJP President B Y Vijayendra on Friday hit out at the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in the state over the murder and demanded an NIA investigation into the case.
Demanding the state government to provide compensation, the party has announced Rs 25 lakh for the family of Suash Shetty.
"The barbaric murder of Hindu Karyakarta Suhas has shattered and shaken entire Karnataka. Hindus in Karnataka are not feeling safe under Congress tenure (under Siddaramaiah). This incident clearly shows failure of state machinery and negligence on part of the police department," he told reporters after attending Shetty's funeral in Mangaluru.
He claimed that even though the police department had information about life-threatening messages sent to Suhas, no security was provided to him. In fact, arms which was always there with Suhas was taken away by the police department. So, I feel that there was some conspiracy and negligence on the part of the police department also.
Urging Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to not take Shetty's death lightly, the BJP state president said that this incident has to be taken seriously by the Karnataka government and police department.
"Proper investigation (can be done) only by National Investigation Agency. This would be the only appropriate investigation. So I demand the Chief Minister to hand over the investigation to NIA and also come to the rescue of the poor family. Suhas' mother is having severe health problem. After discussing with all our leaders, we have announced Rs 25 lakhs compensation for his family. I demand the state government to come forward as well and support the poor family in this regard," he added.
