Mangaluru: The Mangaluru police have arrested eight individuals in connection with the murder of rowdy-sheeter and Hindu activist Suhas Shetty, who was killed on Thursday night near Bajpe. Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara confirmed the arrests during a press conference held at the Mangaluru Police Commissioner’s office on Friday.
Speaking to the media, the Home Minister said that the investigation is in full swing and eight accused have been taken into custody. “No person from any community will be allowed to take the law into their own hands. Strict action will be taken against all those involved,” he stated. Parameshwara also conducted a review meeting with senior police officials to assess the law and order situation in the region, following tensions in parts of Dakshina Kannada district after the murder.
According to police sources, the arrested accused have been identified as follows:
Abdul Safwan, aged 29, son of Abdul Nasir, is a resident of Shantigudde in Pejavara village, Mangaluru. He was staying in a rented house on Mahakali Temple Road in Bajpe and works as a driver.
Niyaz, aged 28, son of Aboobakker, is from near Shantigudde Mosque in Bajpe. He also stays near Mahakali Temple in Kinnipadavu, Bajpe and works as a mason’s helper.
Mohammad Muzammil, aged 32, son of Abdul Razak, lives in Kenjaru, Bajpe. He worked as a salesman in Saudi Arabia and returned to India four months ago. He got married recently to a woman from Pakshikere. He has a past criminal record with a case registered against him at Panambur Police Station in 2016 under Section 392 of the Indian Penal Code.
Khalandar Shafi, aged 31, son of Mohammad, hails from Kalavaru in Mangaluru. He works as a salesman in Bengaluru and has a case registered against him at Suratkal Police Station in 2023 under the NDPS Act.
Ranjith, aged 19, son of Rajesh, is from Rudrapada in Kalasa taluk, Chikkamagaluru district. He belongs to the Adi Karnataka (Scheduled Caste) community and works as a driver.
Nagaraj, aged 20, son of Mari Muthu, is a resident of Mavinakere village in Chikkamagaluru. He belongs to the Vokkaliga Gowda community and works in a shamiyana (tent house) business.
Mohammad Rizwan, aged 28, son of Abdul Majeed, resides near Eidgah Mosque in Jokatte, Mangaluru. He works in an oil plant shutdown operation in Saudi Arabia.
The eighth accused is Adil Meharuf from Bajpe. Adil is son of Umarul Farooq and brother of Mohammed Fazil who was murdered in Suratkal in 2022.
Following the murder, the police launched an operation and recovered the vehicle used in the crime. Based on CCTV footage and other evidence, they were able to identify and arrest the suspects.
The murder of Suhas Shetty has led to tension and protests in the region. Security has been heightened, with additional police forces deployed to maintain peace and prevent any untoward incidents.
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.
Karwar: Uttara Kannada police have cracked a murder case in which a Belagavi youth was killed and his body burnt inside a car to make it appear like a road accident.
Addressing a press meet in the city, Superintendent of Police Deepan M.N. said three accused from Old Hubballi have been arrested in connection with the case. The crime was a pre-planned act driven by personal enmity, he said.
The case came to light on April 8 morning when a car (KA-04/MJ-8996) was found completely burnt in a roadside ditch near Talekumbri bus stand in Yellapur. Only charred human remains were found inside the vehicle. Initially, it was suspected to be an accident caused by overspeeding, and a case was registered at Yellapur police station based on a complaint filed by the deceased’s father, Jagannath Dhapale.
However, the father later expressed suspicion that his son’s death was not accidental, prompting a detailed investigation.
Taking the matter seriously, two special teams were formed under the leadership of Yellapur Inspector Ramesh Hanapur. On analysing technical evidence and CCTV footage, police found that it was a planned murder.
The accused have been identified as Abdul Raheem Basheer Ahmed Mujawar (32), Maulasab Bavahan Wada (36) and Dadapeer alias Aftab Mehboob Saab Balasangi (22), all chicken traders from Old Hubballi.
Police have seized the car used in the crime along with two scooters. The accused have been remanded to judicial custody.
Investigations revealed that the accused killed Nitesh Dhapale due to personal enmity and later set the car on fire along with the body to project it as an accident.
SP Deepan M.N. appreciated the efforts of Inspector Ramesh Hanapur, PSIs Rajashekhar Vandali and Siddappa Gudi, and the entire team for solving the complex case.
