In a significant development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has officially charged 11 men for their alleged roles in the planning and execution of the murder of Suhas Shetty, a former member of the Bajrang Dal, in Karnataka. This attack, according to investigators, was deliberately carried out to instill fear and terror among the populace.
The chargesheet, formally presented before the NIA Special Court in Bengaluru, details a meticulously planned ambush. It is alleged that Shetty was tracked for several months leading up to the incident on May 1. Seven assailants, reportedly using two vehicles, rammed into Shetty’s Innova, blocking his escape route, before attacking him with swords and machetes.
“Shetty was forced to flee on foot and was hacked to death by the assailants,” stated the NIA, characterizing the killing as a “brutal targeted attack” executed in broad daylight to “instil fear and spread terror in society.”
The NIA’s involvement was prompted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which suspected a larger conspiracy and potential national security implications. The investigation has uncovered connections to former members of the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI) and the Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD).
Abdul Safwan, a former PFI member, has been identified as the alleged mastermind behind the operation. He is accused of conspiring with several other individuals, including Niyaz, Mohammed Musamir, Noushad (a former PFI and KFD member), and Adil Maharoof. Maharoof is believed to have financed the plot, securing funds to recruit additional attackers by offering payment or exploiting existing animosities towards Shetty.
Also named in the chargesheet are Kalandar Shafi, M Nagaraja, Ranjith, Mahammed Rizwan, Azaruddin, and Abdul Khader. The NIA continues its investigation into another accused, Abdul Razak.
The MHA’s notification highlighted that the act constituted a “Scheduled Offence” under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008, necessitating NIA’s intervention.
While initially Karnataka police did not invoke the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), leading to questions about jurisdiction, the case was transferred to the NIA due to its alleged terror links.
Shetty was reportedly traveling with five companions in the Kinnikambla area of Mangaluru when his vehicle was intercepted. He was forcibly dragged out and killed in front of his associates.
The murder sparked significant anger and communal tensions in coastal Karnataka. Protests were organized by groups like the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), who condemned the killing as a targeted attack on Hindu activists. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also criticized the ruling Congress government for allegedly failing to protect right-wing activists.
In response to the unrest, authorities imposed prohibitory orders. To date, twelve individuals have been apprehended in connection with the case.