Bengaluru, India — Authorities in Mangaluru, Karnataka, have implemented strict prohibitory measures throughout the city until May 6, following the violent death of a man linked to a high-profile murder case. The individual, identified as Suhas Shetty, was brutally attacked on a busy street by a group of five men wielding machetes and swords, an assault that was captured on surveillance cameras.
Shetty, in his early thirties, had associations with various regional Hindutva organizations and faced multiple criminal charges, including assault and unlawful assembly. He was prominently known as the main suspect in the 2022 murder of a 23-year-old man, Mohammed Fazil, a case that drew significant attention as it was perceived to be connected to the earlier assassination of a local BJP youth worker, Praveen Nettaru.
In light of Shetty’s murder, local police enacted prohibitory orders under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, restricting public gatherings, meetings, and any display of objects that could serve as weapons. Law enforcement officials indicated that initial investigations pointed toward a calculated attack, although the underlying motives for the murder remained ambiguous.
Karnataka’s Home Minister, G Parameshwara, condemned the incident as “gruesome” and announced the formation of four dedicated teams tasked with locating the suspects. He emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing this violent incident and restoring order. “We are taking this matter very seriously,” Parameshwara stated. “We will not compromise on justice.”
He reiterated the administration’s efforts to foster peace within the region, stressing that such violent acts should not deter ongoing initiatives aimed at community harmony. Additional police forces have been dispatched to the area to ensure stability in the wake of the incident.
This marks the second murder in Mangaluru within a week. On April 27, a man named Ashraf from Kerala was killed during a dispute that erupted over a cricket match. Reports indicate that Ashraf was assaulted by a group after allegedly shouting a controversial slogan. Despite attempts by nearby onlookers to intervene, the violence escalated, resulting in his death.
Authorities initially detained 25 suspects for questioning in connection with Ashraf’s death, leading to 20 arrests as the investigation progressed. Police continue to look into the circumstances surrounding both murders, as Mangaluru grapples with increasing instances of violent crime.