Dakshina Kannada District-in-Charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has expressed unwavering confidence in the Karnataka police’s investigation into the brutal murder of Suhas Shetty, a Hindutva activist and rowdy-sheeter, dismissing demands from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) or Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. The announcement, made on May 16, 2025, comes amid rising political tensions in Mangaluru following Shetty’s killing, which has sparked communal unrest and accusations of government inaction.
Suhas Shetty, a former Bajrang Dal member with a criminal record, including being the prime accused in the 2022 Mohammed Fazil murder case, was hacked to death on May 1, 2025, near Kinnikambla in Mangaluru’s Bajpe area. The attack, carried out by five to six assailants wielding swords and other weapons, was identified by police as a revenge killing orchestrated by Fazil’s brother, Adil Mehroof, who allegedly paid ₹5 lakh to the perpetrators. Eight suspects, including Mehroof, Abdul Safwan, Niyaz Ahmed, Mohammad Muzzammil, Khalandar Shafi, Mohammad Rizwan, Ranjit, and Nagaraj, have been arrested, with three additional arrests reported recently, bringing the total to 11.
Rao, also Karnataka’s Health Minister, emphasized that the Mangaluru police have acted swiftly, making significant progress in the case. “The police have already cracked the case, with arrests made and the investigation moving efficiently,” he told reporters, arguing that transferring the case to the NIA is unnecessary given the local police’s competence. He pointed to past instances where CBI probes yielded no results, suggesting that the state police are better equipped to handle the matter. The minister also refuted BJP claims of involvement by the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), stating that the police are exploring all angles, including organizational links, but no evidence supports such allegations.
The murder has intensified communal tensions in coastal Karnataka, with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) calling a bandh on May 2, leading to shop closures in Mangaluru. The BJP has accused the Congress-led state government of shielding “radical elements” and demanded an NIA probe, with Dakshina Kannada MP Brijesh Chowta writing to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to press the case. Rao countered these allegations, urging the BJP not to politicize the tragedy and highlighting their hypocrisy in portraying Shetty as a “mahatma” despite listing him as a rowdy in 2020 under their own government. “If anyone has credible evidence, they should share it with the police,” Rao said, affirming the government’s openness to actionable leads.
Addressing criticism over the lack of government representatives visiting Shetty’s family, Rao noted that the state’s focus has been on ensuring justice through arrests, as visiting every victim’s family is impractical given the number of murders statewide. He also highlighted efforts to curb inflammatory social media posts, with several cases registered against provocative content, though action against fake accounts is delayed due to reliance on platforms like Meta. Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara has announced the formation of a permanent anti-communal task force for Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, modeled on the anti-Naxal force, to address rising tensions.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, responding to reports that ₹5 lakh of the ₹25 lakh ex-gratia payment to Fazil’s family may have funded Shetty’s murder, denied prior knowledge and promised to consult Rao and Parameshwara for clarity. Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader has instructed police to maintain law and order, emphasizing strict action against those disrupting peace. The government’s stance, as articulated by Rao, is to deliver justice without bias, ensuring the perpetrators face the full force of the law while appealing for calm in a region prone to communal strife.
The ongoing investigation and arrests underscore the government’s commitment to resolving the case, but the political slugfest and communal undercurrents continue to challenge efforts to restore peace in Mangaluru. As Ascendant, the minister prayed for the soul of Suhas Shetty and offered condolences to his family.
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