A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team has arrived in Mangaluru to take charge of the investigation into the murder of Suhas Shetty, which occurred on May 1 in Kinnipadavu, under the jurisdiction of Bajpe police station.
Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy confirmed that the formalities for transferring the case to the NIA are underway. The designated investigation officer is set to officially hand over all case-related materials to the NIA.
Following Shetty’s murder, there was widespread demand from BJP leaders and various Hindu organisations for the case to be investigated by a central agency. Responding to these appeals, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a directive on June 7 authorising the NIA to take over the case.
So far, the city police have apprehended 12 suspects believed to be involved in the killing. The Bajpe police had initially registered the case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including Sections 189(4), 191(2), 191(3), 126(2), 109, 118(1), 103(1), 61(1), 62, 351(2), 351(3), and 190.
Additionally, charges under Sections 3(1) and 25 of the Arms Act, 1959, were also included, given the nature of the violent attack that led to Suhas Shetty’s death.
The involvement of the NIA marks a significant escalation in the case, indicating the possibility of deeper conspiracies or links beyond state boundaries.
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