Homicide Victim in Mangaluru: Suhas Shetty, Previously a Member of the Bajrang Dal and Suspect in Fazil's Murder, Suffers Fatal Stabbings

Taking the city by shock, Suhas Shetty, a contentious player in Karnataka's coastal politics with criminal records, was brutally killed in an attack in Mangaluru on Thursday night. With five others, Sanjay, Prajwal, Anvith, Latheesh, and Shashank, he was traveling when their vehicle was halted by a car and a pickup truck. A group of five to six armed men, armed with swords and sharp weapons, then launched a targeted attack on Shetty before making a quick escape.

Despite being rushed to AJ Hospital, Shetty succumbed to his injuries. A case has been registered at Bajpe Police Station, and a thorough investigation is currently underway. It is reported that eight individuals, including the principal offender, have been detained in connection with the murder (India Today).

The murder has instigated unrest in the city, leading authorities to suspend public transportation and strengthen security. The city remains on high alert.

The Man Behind the Controversy

At 42 years old, Suhas Shetty was no stranger to controversy. He was a member of the Bajrang Dal and had as many as five cases registered against him - one in Dakshina Kannada and four in Mangaluru City.

Shetty was also tied to the high-profile 2022 murder of 23-year-old Mohammed Fazil, a Muslim youth from Mangalapete in Katipalla. Fazil was murdered just two days after BJP youth leader Praveen Nettaru was killed in Sullia. The murder of Fazil was perceived by many as a retaliatory response that escalated communal tensions throughout the region.

Following Shetty's murder, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and other Hindu groups called for a bandh across Dakshina Kannada on Friday, May 3. Widespread shutdowns were observed in areas such as Hampankatta, Surathkal, Ullal, and Puttur. Incidents of stone-pelting on KSRTC and private buses were also reported.

The Plea for NIA Intervention

Brijesh Chowta, BJP State Secretary and MP from Dakshina Kannada, wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah requesting that the investigation into Shetty's murder be entrusted to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), fearing the involvement of activists from the banned PFI outfit.

"As our elected representative, and someone who has personally experienced the pain and desperation that prevails in the region today, I urgently and sincerely request that you consider this case to be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for a comprehensive and unbiased investigation," he stated in his letter. He further added, "This incident is not an isolated occurrence; it is part of a larger pattern of lawlessness, emboldened Islamic radicalism, and anti-national elements operating in coastal Karnataka."

(With inputs from agencies)

Shetty's death marks the latest chapter in a cycle of retaliatory violence that has plagued the region for years. The investigation into his death is expected to shed light on the complex issues of communal tension and violence that continue to grip the region.

Despite his controversial past, including membership in the Bajrang Dal and multiple criminal cases, Suhas Shetty found himself at the center of a high-profile murder case involving the death of Mohammed Fazil in 2022.
Some believe that the murder of Suhas Shetty was a retaliatory response to the killing of BJP youth leader Praveen Nettaru, contributing to the escalation of communal tensions in the region.
In light of the perceived involvement of activists from the banned PFI outfit, BJP State Secretary Brijesh Chowta has appealed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take over the investigation into Shetty's murder.
The death of Suhas Shetty has prompted calls for action, with Hindu groups like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) requesting a bandh across Dakshina Kannada, leading to widespread shutdowns and incidents of violence.
As the investigation into Shetty's death unfolds, it is hoped that it will provide insights into the ongoing issues of communal tension, lawlessness, and radicalism that continues to dominate the region, particularly in its finance, politics, general news, crime-and-justice, and Defi sectors.