The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has officially taken over the inquiry into the killing of former Bajrang Dal member Suhas Shetty, which occurred last month in Mangaluru, Karnataka.
Suhas Shetty, previously accused in the high-profile 2022 murder case of 23-year-old Mohammed Fazil, was fatally attacked on May 1 near Kinnipadavu. A group of men allegedly ambushed his vehicle and assaulted him with sharp-edged weapons. Despite efforts to save him, Shetty succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital.
So far, eleven individuals have been apprehended by local authorities for their suspected involvement. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has now directed the NIA to spearhead the case. The central agency is set to take the accused into custody for thorough interrogation.
The incident sparked considerable unrest in Dakshina Kannada district. In response, officials imposed prohibitory orders, halted public transport, and intensified security. Political leaders and activists had been demanding a federal probe, citing the volatile communal backdrop of the region.
Shetty, aged 42, was a prominent face in the coastal Karnataka political scene. He had deep links with right-wing outfits, particularly the Bajrang Dal, and was on police records as a habitual offender, with five criminal cases filed against him.
His killing has revived discussions surrounding communal harmony. It’s especially significant, given that Fazil’s murder had followed closely on the heels of BJP Yuva Morcha leader Praveen Nettaru’s death in 2022, triggering widespread tension.
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