Eight Arrested in Brutal Murder of Suhas Shetty Amid Rising Coastal Tensions

A simmering rivalry turned deadly on the streets of Mangaluru, as eight individuals have been arrested in connection with the cold-blooded murder of Hindu activist and known rowdy sheeter Suhas Shetty. The incident has once again ignited concerns over escalating communal tensions in Karnataka’s coastal belt.

The attack unfolded on Thursday night around 8:30 PM near Kinnipadavu Cross, where Shetty was traveling with five associates. Their vehicle was suddenly intercepted by a group of armed men in a Swift car and a pickup truck. The attackers, wielding deadly weapons, singled out Shetty and launched a brutal assault, leaving him critically injured. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he later succumbed to his wounds.

Authorities have identified the arrested individuals as Abdul Safwan, Niyaz, Mohammed Muzammil, Khalandar Shafi, Adil Mehroof, Nagaraj, Ranjith, and Rizwan. They are currently in police custody as the investigation continues.

The probe has revealed deep-rooted animosity and revenge as the motive behind the killing. In 2023, Abdul Safwan was allegedly assaulted by associates of Suhas Shetty, leading to a police case. After facing ongoing threats from Shetty and his group, Safwan is believed to have plotted the murder, with help from others, including Adil Mehroof—the brother of Fazil, who was killed in 2022 in a case where Shetty was one of the accused.

The link to Fazil’s murder has stirred public attention, with many pointing to a disturbing cycle of retaliation gripping the region. Suhas Shetty himself had five criminal cases against him, further complicating the backdrop of the case.

In response to rising communal unrest, the state government has announced plans to establish an Anti-Communal Task Force. This new body aims to address hate-driven violence and improve safety in volatile areas, particularly in coastal Karnataka.

As police dig deeper into the conspiracy, the murder of Suhas Shetty stands as another grim reminder of how personal vendettas and communal fault lines can erupt into deadly violence.