Secular Probe: Karnataka Govt rejects BJP’s call for NIA investigation into Suhas Shetty Murder case.

Karnataka Govt Rejects BJP’s Demand for NIA Probe into Hindutva Activist’ Suhas Shetty’s  Murder.

Shetty was hacked to death by a group of unidentified assailants near Kinnipadavu Cross around 8:30 pm on May 01, 2025. The attackers allegedly used a modus operandi similar to the Popular Front of India (PFI)’s Jihadi model.

B Upendran | HENB | Bengaluru | May 5, 2025:: The Karnataka government has ruled out a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the murder of Hindutva activist Suhas Shetty in Mangaluru, sparking a fresh row with the BJP. Home Minister G Parameshwara said the police are fully capable of handling the investigation, with eight arrests already made in connection with the case.  

The BJP had demanded a central agency probe, alleging the state government’s failure to protect Hindutva activists. However, Parameshwara maintained that the government will ensure justice for the victim’s family and announced plans to constitute an anti-communal task force in the communally sensitive coastal region.  

The development comes amid growing tensions between the state government and the BJP over law and order issues. While the BJP has been critical of the government’s handling of communal incidents, the government remains confident in its ability to manage investigations and maintain law and order in the state.

Suhas Shetty, a 42-year-old Hindu activist and former Bajrang Dal member, was murdered on May 1 in Mangaluru, Karnataka. 

 Jihadi PFI module behind the murder

Shetty was hacked to death by a group of unidentified assailants near Kinnipadavu Cross around 8:30 pm. The attackers allegedly used a modus operandi similar to the Popular Front of India (PFI) model, showing no hurry while leaving the crime scene. Two burqa-clad women were spotted assisting the assailants, raising suspicions about the involvement of others.

Eight suspects have been arrested in connection with Shetty’s murder, including Abdul Safwan, Niyaz Ahmed, Mohammad Muzzammil, Khalandar Shafi, Adil Mehrooz, Mohammad Rizwan, Ranjit and Nagaraj. Though most of the  suspect are Jihadi  Muslims in nature in the Suhas Shetty Murder case, the Karanataka Police have also arrested two Hindus implicating them in this row making  the  murder as a secular one. 

The police claim the murder was an act of revenge for Shetty’s alleged involvement in the 2022 murder of Mohammad Fazil, Surathkal resident. Adil Meharuf, Fazil’s brother, is believed to have orchestrated the plot and arranged funds for the execution, using Rs 3 lakh from government compensation.

Demand for NIA Probe

 The BJP and Hindu organizations are demanding a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), suspecting the involvement of fundamentalist forces” behind the murder. BJP MLAs in Karnataka  have formally requested the Union Home Minister to transfer the probe to the NIA, citing alleged external involvement.
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__Inputs from PTI.