Mangaluru on Edge After Murder of Accused in High-Profile Case Sparks Tensions and Startling Claim
Mangaluru, India – May 4, 2025 – The brutal killing of Suhas Shetty, a 42-year-old former Bajrang Dal member and prime accused in the 2022 murder of Mohammed Fazil, has plunged Karnataka’s coastal city of Mangaluru into a state of high alert. The attack, which occurred on May 1, 2025, near the Bajpe bus stand, has triggered communal tensions, a district-wide bandh, and a startling claim circulating on social media that has further complicated the volatile situation.
The Murder of Suhas Shetty
Suhas Shetty, a known rowdy-sheeter with five criminal cases against him, was hacked to death around 8:30 PM on Thursday, May 1, in Kinnipadavu village, within the Bajpe police station limits. According to police reports, Shetty was traveling in a car with five associates—Sanjay, Prajwal, Anvith, Latheesh, and Shashank—when their vehicle was intercepted by a goods vehicle and a car carrying six assailants. The attackers, armed with machetes and swords, rammed the goods vehicle into Shetty’s car, pulled him out, and inflicted fatal injuries in a brutal assault captured on CCTV footage. Shetty was rushed to AJ Hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal confirmed the arrest of eight suspects on May 3, identifying Abdul Safwan as the prime accused. The arrested individuals include Adil Mehroof, brother of Mohammed Fazil, whose 2022 murder Shetty was accused of orchestrating. Police investigations revealed the killing was a premeditated act of retaliation, linked to Fazil’s murder and a 2023 assault on Safwan allegedly carried out by Shetty and his associates, Prashanth and Dhanaraj. Adil Mehroof reportedly provided financial support for the attack. Three vehicles and weapons, including those recovered from a car, were seized, and two additional suspects are expected to be apprehended soon.
Communal Tensions and Security Measures
Shetty’s murder, given his association with Hindutva organizations and the communal backdrop of Fazil’s 2022 killing, has heightened tensions in Mangaluru, a city with a history of communal sensitivity. Fazil’s murder, widely seen as retaliation for the killing of BJP youth leader Praveen Nettaru, had already sparked unrest in 2022. Shetty’s death has reignited fears of revenge killings, with multiple stabbing incidents reported in Mangaluru and Udupi districts.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) called for a bandh on May 2, leading to a complete shutdown of businesses, suspension of public transport, and isolated incidents of stone-pelting on buses in Pumpwell and Kankanady. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, banning public gatherings, processions, and inflammatory content, were enforced across Mangaluru until May 6. Police have ramped up patrolling, set up checkposts, and deployed five special teams to maintain order. Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara, who visited Mangaluru on May 3, announced the formation of a permanent anti-communal task force to address such incidents.
A Startling Claim on Social Media
Adding to the complexity, a claim circulating on X has drawn significant attention. Posts allege that Shetty’s murder was linked to “Jihadi” elements, with some users framing it as part of a broader pattern of targeted killings against Hindu activists. One post specifically referenced a video purportedly showing the attack, claiming it depicted Shetty’s murder by assailants motivated by communal hatred. However, police investigations have not confirmed any explicit “Jihadi” motive, focusing instead on the retaliatory nature tied to Fazil’s murder and personal enmity.
The authenticity of the video has also been questioned. An earlier post on X incorrectly suggested the video was inauthentic and that Shetty was merely arrested in 2022, not murdered. Subsequent reports and CCTV evidence confirmed the video likely depicts the real attack on May 1, showing assailants attacking Shetty on a busy road. Police are investigating social media activity, including a now-deactivated Instagram page called “Target Killer” that posted threats against Shetty before the attack, suggesting the murder was planned and publicized online.
Political Reactions and Broader Implications
The murder has sparked political outcry. Karnataka BJP state chief B.Y. Vijayendra demanded a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe, alleging rising “Islamic radicalism” in coastal Karnataka and announcing ₹25 lakh in compensation for Shetty’s family. BJP MLC C.T. Ravi warned of continued revenge killings if police fail to act decisively. In contrast, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah questioned why BJP leaders selectively visit victims’ families, highlighting perceived political bias.
The incident underscores Mangaluru’s fragile communal fabric, with recent events like the mob lynching of Mohammad Ashraf, accused of shouting “Pakistan Zindabad” during a cricket tournament, adding to the region’s volatility. Authorities are urging calm, but the combination of Shetty’s high-profile criminal history, the communal undertones, and the startling social media claim risks further escalation.
As the investigation continues, Mangaluru remains under tight security, with police working to apprehend remaining suspects and prevent further violence. The case, rooted in a cycle of retribution, serves as a grim reminder of the challenges in addressing communal divides and criminal networks in Karnataka’s coastal belt.