Another political murder in Karnataka’s Mangaluru has triggered unrest in the city. Unidentified assailants brutally hacked Suhas Shetty, a former Bajrang Dal leader, to death. Suhas Shetty had played a central role as the main accused in the Surathkal Fasil murder case, which followed the killing of Yuva Morcha leader Praveen Nettaru. Although Shetty was no longer active in the Bajrang Dal, his murder has heightened tensions, prompting authorities to tighten security in and around Mangaluru Hospital.
Who Was Suhas Shetty
Aged 42, Suhas Shetty had five criminal cases registered against him- one in Dakshina Kannada district and four in Mangaluru city. In the evening, a gang arrived in a car and attacked him at Bajpe Kinni Padavu in Mangaluru. Suhas has several murder cases against him. Suhas is also on the rowdy list of the Mangaluru Police. Fazil was out on bail in the murder case. Fazil was killed on July 28, 2022. Suhas Shetty is the main accused in this case. Suhas was the leader of the cow protection wing of Bajrang Dal at that time. Bajpe Police has started an investigation into the incident. Suhas, who was seriously injured, died in the hospital.
What Happened?
Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal said that while Suhas Shetty was travelling with five others- Sanjay, Prajwal, Anvith, Latheesh, and Shashank- a group of attackers intercepted their vehicle using a four-wheeler and a pickup truck. The attackers came prepared and struck without warning, catching the group off guard. It was a full-on ambush, right in the thick of things. The gang of five to six men then launched a swift and violent assault on Suhas before fleeing the scene.
After the murder, Bajrang Dal called for a bandh (shutdown protest), and protestors attacked some buses with stones in isolated incidents. In response, the police announced that strict security arrangements were in place across Mangaluru to prevent further unrest.
To ensure public safety, the Mangaluru Police Commissionerate imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNS), 2023. These restrictions started at 6:00 AM on Friday and will continue until 6:00 AM on May 6, 2025.
Liquor Ban In Mangaluru
To prevent unrest and maintain peace after the murder of Suhas Shetty in Bajpe, the Dakshina Kannada district administration has imposed a liquor ban in multiple areas. This includes five taluks and all regions under the Mangaluru Police Commissionerate. Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Mullai Muhilan M.P. issued two separate orders under Section 21(1) of the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, acting on requests from the Superintendent of Police and the Mangaluru Police Commissioner. Authorities warned that the tense and volatile situation in the area could worsen, as anti-social elements might misuse alcohol consumption to incite violence.
