Who Was Suhas Shetty? Fazil Murder Accused Hacked To Death, Now Flashpoint Of Tensions In Mangaluru

Suhas Shetty, a ex-member of Bajrang Dal and a key figure in 2022 Fazil murder case, was allegedly killed in a violent assault near Mangaluru on Thursday evening. The attack occurred around 8:30 PM in Kinnipadavu area of Bajpe. Shetty was traveling with associates when a group of unidentified assailants intercepted their vehicle.

According to police, the attackers, who arrived in a car and a pickup truck, used sharp-edged weapons to inflict critical injuries, as per a report on PTI. Shetty was rushed to AJ Hospital but succumbed to his wounds shortly after.

The incident has sparked heightened tensions in Dakshina Kannada district. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) called for a bandh, leading to widespread closures in Mangaluru and surrounding areas. Authorities responded by imposing prohibitory orders to maintain law and order.

Commercial areas including Hampankatta, Central Market, Falnir, Balmatta, and Kankanady saw a complete shutdown, along with suburban regions such as Surathkal, Bajpe, Ullal, and Mulky. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) halted bus services to several areas in the wake of the tension. Even a few private buses that plied in the region reportedly witnessed stone-pelting incidents following which they were called off the roads. 

Who Suhas Shetty?

At 42, Shetty was a known figure in coastal Karnataka’s political landscape, primarily due to his association with Hindutva groups and his criminal background. Police records show five criminal cases filed against him in various jurisdictions, including murder and robbery.

He was recently released from jail after serving time for multiple offenses. Shetty came into the national spotlight in 2022 when he was identified as a primary suspect in the killing of Mohammed Fazil, a 23-year-old from Katipalla, reported Hindustan Times. That incident, perceived by many as retaliation for the murder of BJP leader Praveen Nettaru, intensified communal strains in the region. 

Shetty was linked to Bajrang Dal. However, Karnataka BJP extended condolences to the family of Suhas Shetty. 

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