Suhas Shetty, a former member of Bajrang Dal, was attacked by unknown men on Thursday night near a village on the outskirts of Mangaluru, Karnataka. He was seriously injured in the assault and later died at a private hospital.

Police said the incident happened at 8:27 pm on May 1. Shetty was travelling in a car with five others when two other vehicles blocked them. Around five to six attackers got out and attacked Shetty using a sword and other dangerous weapons, leaving him badly hurt on the road. The attack was caught on video. He was taken urgently to the nearby AJ Hospital, but sadly passed away due to his injuries. After his death, many Hindu activists gathered outside the hospital, leading to increased tensions. As a result, more police officers were deployed. BJP MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLA Bharath Shetty, and leaders from various Hindu groups also visited the hospital. “A Hindu worker was murdered today. It’s no longer safe for Hindus in this state. The police must act swiftly. Anti-social elements are being encouraged, leading to such incidents. This appears to be a planned murder. Another person in the car was also injured,” said MLA Bharath Shetty.

The local unit of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad has announced a bandh (shutdown) in Mangaluru on Friday, from 6 am to 6 pm, in response to the incident. To maintain law and order, security has been increased around the hospital and other sensitive locations. Authorities have also imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which bans large gatherings. Meanwhile, the investigation is ongoing. Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said the government is treating the matter as a top priority. “Four teams have been formed. I have sent a senior ADGP-level officer to ensure peace is maintained, and additional forces have also been deployed,” he said.

“We have taken this incident very seriously, and we are probing it. We want peace in Mangaluru.” Mangaluru Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal mentioned that it's too soon to figure out the motive behind the incident. “We don’t yet know if this was a revenge killing. The investigation will reveal more details. We’ve identified a few of the accused from visuals,” he said. “The body will be taken to Bantwal taluk in an ambulance. Peace is everyone’s responsibility.”

Suhas Shetty was the main person accused in the 2022 murder of 23-year-old Mohammad Fazil, a Muslim man who was killed near a clothing shop in Surathkal on July 28. Fazil was reportedly attacked in revenge for the murder of BJP Yuva Morcha member Praveen Nettaru, who had been killed two days earlier—allegedly by members of the banned group Popular Front of India (PFI). When Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was asked about the incident, he said he didn't have all the details of the murder yet. He also mentioned that an Assistant Director General of Police had been sent to the location. “They say he’s a rowdy sheeter. I spoke to the police,” Siddaramaiah said, noting he didn’t know the motive of the murder yet.

“Anyone who is accused will be arrested. Don’t know if it was a pre-planned murder or not; only the investigation can tell,” he added. Taking a jibe at the Opposition, Siddaramaih said, “BJP keeps finding such incidents to do politics. Kashmir was attacked 15 days ago, but what does the BJP say? Has the Prime Minister visited there yet? Is that not a failure of security or a lapse? I know a person who was there, and he said no cops were present.”

Brijesh Chowta, the Member of Parliament from Dakshina Kannada, has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah asking for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigation into the murder case. Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao called the incident “deeply saddening and shocking.” He also asked leaders from all political parties not to use this tragedy for political purposes.

According to sources, Gundu Rao is expected to visit Mangaluru on Saturday to meet with police and local officials. “Just three days ago, Ashraf was lynched by a mob — another tragic incident. I offer my condolences to both families on behalf of the government,” he said. “Such killings have occurred in Mangaluru district before, under different governments. It is the government’s responsibility to deliver justice without discrimination. Those trying to communalise or politicise the matter should refrain from doing so.”

He also said that the Chief Minister has instructed the police to do their work independently, without any political pressure or interference. “The police have been given a free hand to investigate and maintain peace. Communal hatred leading to such murders is a serious concern,” he said. Rao also appealed for restraint in public statements. “BJP leaders, too, must be responsible. No one should make provocative remarks. We must all work together.”