Suhas Shetty Murder: ‘No Need for NIA’, Says Home Minister On BJP’s Demand; Plans Anti-Communal Task Force
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara dismissed the BJP's demand for an NIA probe into the murder of Hindutva activist Suhas Shetty. The minister stated that police arrested eight people in connection with the murder.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Sunday dismissed the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) demand for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the murder of Hindutva activist and history-sheeter Suhas Shetty in Mangaluru, asserting that the state police were handling the case effectively. Suhas Shetty, known for his affiliation with right-wing groups and a criminal background, was murdered by an unidentified group late Thursday within the Bajpe police station limits of Mangaluru city.
Responding to the BJP’s call for an NIA investigation, Parameshwara told reporters, “It is their (BJP’s) opinion. Our view is that our police are doing their job very well. Eight people have been arrested in this connection and the investigation is in progress.” The minister ruled out the need to hand over the case to the NIA at this stage and defended the police’s action, news agency PTI reported.
When questioned on why no government representatives had visited the bereaved family, Parameshwara cited Shetty’s criminal record. “Please know that this is a murder case. There were five criminal cases against him. That’s the reason that no one from the government, I mean the public representatives, either me or anyone else, met them,” he stated. He, however, assured that the government would ensure justice for the family. “Already we have done our work and we have arrested eight people,” he added, as per PTI.
Parameshwara further announced that a permanent anti-communal task force would be set up in the communally sensitive coastal Karnataka region.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Abdul Safwan, Niyaz Ahmed, Mohammad Muzzammil, Khalandar Shafi, Adil Mehrooz, Mohammad Rizwan, Ranjit, and Nagaraj.
Following Shetty’s murder, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) called for a bandh on Friday, leading to a shutdown of shops across Mangaluru city. In light of rising tensions, Parameshwara and District In-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao visited the city on Friday and held high-level discussions with Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal and Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan. They reviewed the law and order situation and assured strict action against those involved in any violence or disruption.
Fazil Compensation Used To Kill Suhas Shetty? CM Siddaramaiah Responds To Claim
Separately, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah responded to media queries about reports alleging that a portion of the state compensation given to the family of Mohammed Fazil was allegedly used to finance the murder of Suhas Shetty. “I have to look into it. I don’t have any information. Yesterday Dinesh Gundu Rao and Home Minister (G Parameshwara) had been there. I haven’t spoken to them yet. I will say after talking to them,” he said, as per PTI.
Fazil was murdered in 2022 in Surathkal by a gang of masked men, and Suhas Shetty was named as the prime accused in that case. According to emerging police investigation details, Rs 5 lakh out of the Rs 25 lakh compensation paid to Fazil’s family by the state was allegedly used to hire contract killers to eliminate Shetty. Eight individuals, including Fazil’s brother, have been arrested in connection with Shetty’s murder.
When asked about the proposed anti-communal task force, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah noted that Home Minister Parameshwara had suggested forming a police wing to identify and tackle anti-social elements. “I will speak to the Home Minister about it (task force) and then I will let you know,” he added.
On a separate note, Siddaramaiah also took a swipe at the BJP for criticising his government over conducting a caste census. “Now what are they saying? Today they are wholeheartedly welcoming it (caste census). It’s apparent that they were opposing it for political reasons and not on facts,” he said.
Reacting to Janata Dal (Secular) patriarch H D Deve Gowda’s allegation that the Congress was displaying double standards regarding the Pahalgam terror attack, Siddaramaiah retorted, “Who is adopting double standard? It’s Deve Gowda only.” He further questioned what Gowda had said against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre before joining hands with the BJP.
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