Mangaluru on Edge After Killing of Suhas Shetty, Key Accused in Fazil Murder Case

Mangaluru: Tensions escalated sharply in Mangaluru on Thursday night following the brutal murder of Suhas Shetty, a former Bajrang Dal member and the main accused in the high-profile killing of Mohammed Fazil. The incident has reignited communal sensitivities across the coastal Dakshina Kannada region, prompting heightened security measures, prohibitory orders, and political demands for a central investigation.

Gruesome Attack Near Kinnipadavu

According to police, the attack occurred around 8:27 p.m. near Kinnipadavu when Shetty, 42, was travelling with five companions. Their vehicle was intercepted by two cars from which five to six unidentified men armed with swords and other sharp weapons launched a swift and violent assault. Though Shetty was rushed to AJ Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.

The Bajpe Police have registered a murder case, and multiple teams have been formed to track the assailants. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage and local intelligence inputs as part of the investigation.

Who Was Suhas Shetty?

Shetty was a controversial figure in Karnataka’s coastal political landscape. Known for his affiliation with Hindutva groups, particularly the Bajrang Dal, he also had a criminal background, with five cases registered against him—one in Dakshina Kannada and four in Mangaluru city.

He gained national attention in 2022 after being named as a key accused in the murder of 23-year-old Mohammed Fazil, a Muslim youth from Katipalla. Fazil’s killing—widely perceived as a retaliatory act following the murder of BJP youth leader Praveen Nettaru—fueled communal tensions throughout the region.

Security Measures and Political Fallout

In response to Thursday’s killing, Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNS), restricting public gatherings, rallies, and dissemination of inflammatory content. The orders will remain in force until May 6.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and other right-wing groups called for a bandh across Dakshina Kannada on Friday, which saw widespread shutdowns in areas including Hampankatta, Surathkal, Ullal, and Puttur. Incidents of stone-pelting on KSRTC and private buses were reported, forcing authorities to suspend public transport services in affected zones. Liquor sales have also been temporarily banned in sensitive areas.

Meanwhile, political leaders from the BJP and allied organizations have demanded a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into Shetty’s murder, alleging a larger conspiracy.