Murder accused killed in Mangaluru, police form 4 teams

The incident occurred near the Bajpe bus stand. According to eyewitnesses, a group of assailants, armed with blunt objects, surrounded Shetty and inflicted fatal injuries before fleeing. Locals alerted the police, who rushed Shetty to a nearby hospital, where he died.

Shetty, a resident of Bajpe, is alleged to have orchestrated Fazil’s murder three years ago. Fazil, 23, was hacked to death by a gang of four masked men on July 28, 2022, at the Bee Jay’s clothing store in Surathkal.

The police are investigating whether Shetty’s murder is a retaliatory act linked to his earlier cases. The police have also increased security in Bajpe and surrounding areas.

Speaking to reporters in Mandya, CM Siddaramaiah said police have been instructed to find out the culprits at the earliest, and to arrest them.

Stating that he is yet to know the reason for the killing, he said, “He (Shetty) was said to be a rowdy sheeter. It needs to be checked. After the murder, I spoke to the police yesterday, and we have sent ADGP (Law and Order) to Mangaluru.”

Home Minister G Parameshwara said that the government has taken the murder case “very seriously”. Calling for peace, he said four police teams have been formed to catch the culprits. Additional forces have been rushed to Mangaluru, aimed at maintaining peace and harmony, he said in Bengaluru.

ADGP (Law & Order) Hithendra R said, “We have got to know about the culprits, their names and other details. Action is being taken to arrest them.”

State BJP cheif B Y Vijayendra hit out at the Congress government and demanded an NIA probe. Demanding the state government to provide compensation, the party has announced `25 lakh for the family of Shetty, he told reporters in Mangaluru after attending funeral of the activist.

Meanwhile, Dakshina Kannada district witnessed a shutdown in most parts, following a bandh call given by the VHP and the prohibitory order clamped by the district administration.

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) had also suspended the services to suburban areas after their buses were stoned near Pumpwell and Kankanady areas. KSRTC Divisional Controller Rajesh Shetty said four vehicles were stoned on the way to Mangaluru city from suburban centres Friday morning.