Karnataka Police have detained eight people linked with the murder of Hindu activist Suhas Shetty, an incident reported from the communally-sensitive city of Mangaluru, officials announced on Saturday.
Official announcement to be made later on Saturday
Police sources indicated that the department is expected to formalize the arrests and issue an official announcement later on Saturday.
The police prepared five specialized teams to catch hold of the murderers. All the suspects are being questioned after they were apprehended from different areas within Mangaluru district. Sources reported that investigators acquired video recordings of the event, which aided in recognizing and capturing the suspects.
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Police had warned Shetty not to carry weapons, claims R Ashoka
Nonetheless, R Ashoka, the Leader of the Opposition (LoP), claimed that police had cautioned Suhas Shetty a week prior to the murder against carrying weapons in his vehicle, and his vehicle underwent a search.
Ashoka stated that if he had possessed a weapon, he could have lived. He further mentioned that the killing occurred less than half a kilometre from where police were present, but no officer hurried to the scene.
“A week prior, the murderers had announced that Suhas Shetty would be murdered. Following the killing, they displayed another message praising the act of murder,” he added.
Various leaders demand NIA probe
Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje and Mangaluru BJP MP Captain Brijesh Chowta have asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah to transfer the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
BJP State President BY Vijayendra declared that a compensation of Rs 25 lakh will be provided to Suhas Shetty’s family.
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BJP MLC CT Ravi and additional party officials cautioned that if law enforcement fail to act, retaliatory murders will persist in Mangaluru.
Several stabbing incidents have been reported in the Mangaluru and Udupi districts of coastal Karnataka following Shetty’s murder, and the situation remains tense and unstable.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara will be in Mangaluru on Saturday to access the circumstances and examine the law and order situation. He is anticipated to convene a meeting with high-ranking officials at the Mangaluru Police Commissionerate.
