Mangaluru: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out widespread raids at 18 different locations across Karnataka on Saturday, as part of its ongoing probe into the murder of Suhas Shetty. The incident took place in May in Mangaluru’s Bajpe area, where Shetty, a Bajrang Dal activist, was fatally assaulted in a public space using deadly weapons.
The attack was allegedly carried out by Abdul Safwan and several accomplices with the aim of inciting fear among the general public. The Ministry of Home Affairs had handed over the case to the NIA in June, citing the serious nature of the incident. The probe agency took note of the original FIR lodged at Bajpe police station, which detailed the assault on Shetty while he was traveling in a car with companions.
During the latest operation, the NIA conducted searches at the homes of 12 individuals already in custody, along with other suspects. These raids spanned multiple districts including Mangaluru, Chikkamagaluru, and Hassan. Officials confiscated a variety of digital equipment and evidence—11 mobile phones, 13 SIM cards, 8 memory cards, and several documents deemed incriminating.
The NIA stated that investigations into the broader conspiracy behind the targeted killing are ongoing. Authorities believe the motive was not only personal but also aimed at creating unrest and terror in the community.