Karkala: A controversial audio clip allegedly featuring BJP Yuva Morcha leader and teacher Suhas Shetty from Mutlupadi has gone viral on social media, where he is heard sexually harassing a student from his own college.

Following this, the Women’s Congress and the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) have filed separate complaints with the Deputy Superintendent of Police, demanding strict action.

In the circulating audio, Suhas Shetty is allegedly heard coercing an underage student to accompany him, reportedly using forceful and inappropriate language. Sources claim that this is not the first time Shetty has been accused of such misconduct. He was previously removed from a teaching post at another college after facing similar allegations of sexual harassment against a student.

Activists say that many students fear filing formal complaints due to possible intimidation, which emboldens repeat offenders like Shetty. In their complaint, the organizations urged police to immediately arrest him and seize his mobile phone, suggesting that it may contain further evidence of harassment against other students. They also requested the police to take suo motu cognizance of the incident and initiate legal proceedings without waiting for individual complaints from victims.

The delegation that submitted the complaint included Women’s Congress leaders Banu Bhaskar Poojary, Reena Juliet, municipal councillor Pratima Rane, Prabha Kishore, Rehmat, Sunitha Shetty, Asha Bailur, Shobha Prasad, Shobha Rane, Rajeshwari Sanuru, and Charitra. NSUI leaders present included president Gurudeep Nitte, Udit Shettigar, and office bearers Sanskrit N.R., Evans, Nithish, and Sunil Bhandari.

Get all the latest, breaking news from Mangaluru and Dakshina Kannada in a single click. CLICK HERE to get all the latest news from Mangaluru.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Bengaluru, Aug 14 (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said there was a “conspiracy” to tarnish the image of Dharmasthala.

His comments come amid an ongoing investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into serious allegations of mass burials in the revered temple town in Dakshina Kannada district.

“A conspiracy is being hatched to destroy hundreds of years of legacy. It is not correct to tarnish someone just like that. It has all happened due to one complainant,” he said.

Noting that some Congress MLAs have called for action against those involved in the slander campaign at the legislature party meeting, he said, “ I have told them that action must be taken against those who are indulging in a slander campaign. The CM has also said that action must be taken against such people.”

“I have information on this case. Religious feelings should not be hurt in any manner. Culprits must be punished,” he told reporters, according to a release from his office.

Responding to a question, Shivakumar said the Congress party will not allow the image of any religious place to be tarnished.

“We see everyone equally when it comes to religion,” he added.

The SIT, formed by the state government, is probing claims of mass murder, rape, and mass burials in Dharmasthala over the past two decades.

The complainant, a former sanitation worker whose identity has not been revealed, alleged that between 1995 and 2014 he was forced to handle bodies—including women and minors—and that some showed signs of sexual assault. He has given a statement before a magistrate.

As part of the probe, the SIT has been conducting exhumations at multiple locations identified by the complainant-witness in the forested areas along the banks of the Netravathi River in Dharmasthala, where some skeletal remains have been found at two sites so far.

Get all the latest, breaking news from Karnataka in a single click. CLICK HERE to get all the latest news from Karnataka.