Mangaluru: Suhas Shetty, a Hindu activist with a criminal history and one of the accused in the 2022 Fazil murder case, was hacked to death by a group of assailants near Kinnipadavu Cross on the outskirts of Mangaluru city on Thursday night.
“At around 8.27 pm, an incident of assault and murder was reported near Kinnipadavu Cross. Suhas Shetty, who was travelling in a car along with Sanjay, Prajwal, Anvith, Latheesh, and Shashank, was intercepted by a group of assailants in a Swift car and a pickup vehicle. Around 5–6 assailants attacked Shetty with deadly weapons, causing grievous injuries,” Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal told reporters.
Shetty was rushed to A J Hospital in Mangaluru City, where he succumbed to his injuries. A case has been registered at Bajpe Police Station. “Special teams have been formed to nab the attackers at the earliest,” the Commissioner added.
The incident was captured on CCTV footage.
Shetty, a history-sheeter, was one of the accused in the 2022 Fazil murder case and was out on bail. Investigators suspect Shetty’s murder may be an act of retaliation.
On July 28, 2022, Mohammed Fazil, a 23-year-old resident of Mangalapete in Katipalla, was hacked to death by masked assailants outside a clothing store in Surathkal. The attack was captured on CCTV cameras, showing the assailants chasing and attacking Fazil.
Shetty had five cases against him, including murder, attempt to murder, and criminal intimidation. He was convicted in one case, discharged in two, and the remaining are under trial.
Hundreds of Hindu activists and BJP leaders visited the hospital.
Following the incident, security has been tightened in Mangaluru city and surrounding areas. Additional forces have been deployed to monitor sensitive zones.
Tensions have been simmering in the region following the mob lynching of Ashraf, a resident of Wayanad, Kerala, on April 29. With Shetty’s murder, police are leaving no stone unturned to maintain law and order.
Meanwhile, BJP leader and Mangaluru South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath blamed the Congress government for the killing, alleging its leniency toward radical groups had emboldened criminal elements.
“The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government is directly responsible for Suhas Shetty’s death. By withdrawing cases against extremist outfits like SDPI and PFI, the government has indirectly supported their violent activities,” Kamath said.
He urged the police to arrest the culprits swiftly and ensure they are brought to justice.
