Suhas Shetty murder: CM denies knowledge of 'link' with Fazil compensation

Amid reports suggesting that compensation given to Mohammed Fazil’s family was allegedly used to hire contract killers to murder rowdy sheeter and Hindutva activist Suhas Shetty in Karnataka’s Mangaluru, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday (May 4) said he is unaware of it.

Also read: Karnataka govt rules out NIA probe into Hindutva activist's murder

In 2022, Fazil was murdered in Surathkal by a gang of masked men. Suhas is the prime accused in the murder case. The Karnataka government had paid Rs 25 lakh in compensation to Fazil’s family.

What CM Siddaramaiah said

As per Mangaluru Police, who are investigating the case, Fazil’s brother Adil Mehrooz offered Rs 5 lakh to a group of men to kill Suhas.

Also read: Suhas Shetty murder in Mangaluru: No religious link, says Speaker Khader

On Thursday (May 1), Suhas was hacked to death. Eight people, including Fazil's brother, have been arrested in this connection. Those arrested are Abdul Safwan, Niyaz Ahmed, Mohammad Muzzammil, Khalandar Shafi, Mehrooz, Mohammad Rizwan, Ranjit and Nagaraj.

Following the murder, the VHP called for a bandh on Friday, and shops were shut in Mangaluru city.

In Haveri, Siddaramaiah was asked about compensation money allegedly being used to hire contract killers. To this, he said he would discuss the matter with Home Minister Parameshwara and district in charge Minister of Dakshina Kannada Dinesh Gundu Rao to get more information.

“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,” Siddaramaiah told reporters.

Task force

Asked about the formation of a task force to tackle communal issues, the Chief Minister said Parameshwara has said that a police wing was required to identify and subdue anti-social elements.

“I will speak to the Home Minister about it (task force) and then I will let you know,” he added.

In view of the tension, Ministers Parameshwara and Gundu Rao rushed to Mangaluru on Friday and held high-level discussions with Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal and Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan to assess the law and order situation.

The ministers reviewed the security arrangements and appealed for calm, assuring that strict action would be taken against those responsible for the violence and disruption.

(With agency inputs)