Mangaluru: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Friday announced that four special teams have been formed to trace and apprehend those involved in the murder of Suhas Shetty in Mangaluru.
Addressing media persons, Parameshwara said, “A murder occurred in Mangaluru city yesterday evening. We have taken it very seriously. Four separate teams have been constituted to catch the culprits. We are committed to maintaining peace and harmony in Dakshina Kannada, and such incidents should not be allowed to disturb that.”
Suhas Shetty, a known rowdy sheeter and the main accused in the Fazil murder case, was killed around 8:30 PM on Thursday. According to Mangaluru Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal, Shetty was travelling with five others — Sanjay, Prajwal, Anvith, Latheesh, and Shashank — when their vehicle was intercepted by a group of 5–6 assailants in a four-wheeler and a pickup truck. The attackers assaulted Shetty with lethal weapons, inflicting critical injuries.
He was rushed to AJ Hospital but succumbed to his wounds.
A murder case has been registered, and police are actively investigating. While the motive behind the attack remains unclear, authorities are not ruling out any possibilities. “It’s too early to comment on the motive,” said Commissioner Agrawal.
In response to the murder, prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNS), 2023, were enforced across Mangaluru city starting 6:00 AM on Friday and will remain in effect until 6:00 AM on May 6, 2025. This move is aimed at preventing any escalation of tension in the communally sensitive region.
Reports also emerged of a citywide bandh called by the Bajrang Dal late Thursday night. Some instances of stone pelting were reported, prompting increased police patrolling and deployment across the city.
Further updates are awaited as the investigation progresses.