Suhas Shetty, a key accused in the 2022 murder of 23-year-old Muhammad Fazil from Surathkal, was killed on May 1 in a violent attack at Bajpe in Mangalore.
Suhas, who had been named as Accused No. 1 (A1) in the Fazil case and was known as a rowdy sheeter with multiple cases of murder and robbery, was reportedly hacked to death when a group of assailants in a Swift car and a goods vehicle intercepted his car in the Kinnipadavu area.
Police sources confirmed that Suhas had links with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and was involved in at least five criminal cases in Mangaluru and Dakshina Kannada.
Although officials are yet to confirm the motive, many local residents believe the attack may have been in retaliation for the murder of Fazil, who was killed in broad daylight outside a shop in Surathkal in July 2022. Fazil’s murder, allegedly carried out due to communal hatred, had sparked outrage and unrest.
Speaking to reporters, Mangaluru Police Commissioner said, “It is too early to define the cause of action. We are investigating all angles, including personal enmity and gang rivalry.”
Following Suhas’s death, authorities imposed Section 144 (not 163, as mentioned earlier) from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM in sensitive areas to prevent further violence and maintain public order.
Meanwhile, incidents of attacks targeting Muslim youths in parts of Kannur have also been reported and are being treated as separate cases by the police.
Tensions remain high, and police forces have been deployed in communally sensitive areas to monitor the situation.
