MANGALURU: A protest was held outside Surathkal police station on Tuesday after Somanath, a 48-year-old resident of Hosabettu, died by suicide following a police case linked to a dispute involving a young couple at a fishing jetty. Local residents alleged that police harassment had caused him distress and demanded action against the couple who had lodged the complaint.
The incident took place after a confrontation on October 25 near the Hosabettu fishing jetty, involving a young man from Kasaragod, a woman from Delhi and some local residents. Following a complaint by the woman, Surathkal police registered a case against Somanath and others over allegations that they had troubled the couple.
Dispute at Hosabettu fishing jetty
According to reports, Somanath and others questioned the couple while they were at the fishing jetty. An argument reportedly followed, after which the woman approached Surathkal police with a complaint.
Police registered a case and served Somanath a notice to appear for inquiry, as the alleged offences carried a punishment of less than three years. Reports said he was not arrested at that stage.
Somanath was found hanging at his residence on the morning of October 27. A handwritten note was reportedly recovered from the house, in which he stated that he was responsible for his death. Police registered an unnatural death case and initiated an investigation.
Residents protest outside Surathkal police station
Later on Tuesday, family members and local residents brought Somanath’s body to Surathkal police station, demanding justice and action against the couple. Hundreds of local residents, including members of the Mogaveera community, gathered at the spot.
Some protesters alleged that the police had acted unfairly after receiving the complaint and that the questioning had caused Somanath mental distress. They described the complaint as false and demanded that a case also be registered against the couple.
These allegations were made by protesters and have not been established as findings of the police investigation. The reported contents of the note also do not independently establish that police conduct caused the death.
The gathering affected traffic on the nearby national highway, with vehicles facing delays while protesters assembled outside the station.
MLA Bharath Shetty intervenes
Local MLA Y. Bharath Shetty reached the police station and spoke with residents and police officials as tensions rose. He questioned the handling of the matter and helped facilitate discussions between the protesters and the police.
The protesters insisted that their complaint against the couple should also be received and investigated. Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy said the protesters had been told they could submit a complaint and that the police would register and investigate a case if required.
After the discussions, the protesters took the body away from the station premises. Traffic movement was subsequently restored, according to reports.
Residents seek tighter monitoring of beaches
During the protest, some residents raised broader concerns about late-night activities at beaches in the area. They alleged that visitors sometimes consumed intoxicating substances, played loud music or behaved inappropriately, and urged the authorities to increase police deployment.
These claims were part of the residents’ demands and have not been independently verified. The incident has nevertheless renewed calls for effective monitoring of public spaces and fair handling of complaints involving visitors and local residents.
Police investigation continues
The case has drawn attention to the need for an impartial investigation into both the original beach complaint and the circumstances surrounding Somanath’s death. Police action and allegations of misconduct must be assessed on the basis of evidence rather than claims made during the protest.
The available reports confirm that a complaint was registered against Somanath and others, that he was served a notice for inquiry, and that a separate unnatural death investigation was initiated after his death. They do not establish that police harassment caused his death.
The protesters’ demand for action against the couple is also a request for investigation, not proof of wrongdoing. Any further action will depend on the complaint, available evidence and the findings of the authorities.