BANTWAL, Karnataka — The streets of Bantwal turned into a sea of mourners on April 16, as thousands gathered to pay their final respects to Suhas Shetty, a local figure whose brutal murder shook this coastal town to its core. The air was thick with grief and tension, the crowd spilling across roads, their voices rising in chants, some clutching flowers, others holding photos of a man whose life ended in a flash of violence.
Shetty, 38, was hacked to death on April 15 in Mangaluru, a grim attack that unfolded in the late evening near a busy stretch of the city. Police reports detail a group of five to six assailants, still unidentified, who ambushed him with machetes and fled into the night. The killing sparked immediate outrage, with authorities scrambling to maintain order as news spread like wildfire. By morning, Mangaluru was under prohibitory orders, a city on edge.
In Bantwal, Shetty’s hometown, the funeral procession became a focal point of raw emotion. Men and women, young and old, walked shoulder to shoulder, their footsteps heavy on the dusty roads. Some wept openly; others stood in stoic silence. Local businesses shuttered for the day, heeding a bandh called by community groups. The cremation ground, usually a quiet corner, was packed, with police forming a tight cordon to manage the swelling crowd.
Shetty was no stranger to controversy. Listed as a “rowdy sheeter” by Mangaluru police, he was the prime accused in the 2022 murder of Mohammed Fazil, a case that had already polarized the region. Yet, to many in the procession, he was a defender of their values, a man who stood tall in a fractious landscape. His death, authorities say, may be linked to old rivalries, though investigations are ongoing, with forensic teams combing the crime scene for clues.
Karnataka’s Home Minister, G. Parameshwara, addressed the press in Bengaluru, promising swift action. “The culprits will face justice,” he said, his tone firm but measured. Additional police forces were deployed across Dakshina Kannada district to prevent any flare-ups, with senior officers overseeing operations. R. Hitendra, Additional Director General of Police for Law and Order, confirmed the post-mortem was completed by midday on April 16, paving the way for the cremation.
As the sun dipped low, the crowd in Bantwal began to disperse, leaving behind a trail of marigold petals and the faint echo of their chants. The investigation continues, with police forming special teams to track the attackers. No arrests have been made as of April 16. Mangaluru remains under heightened security, with patrols extended into the week.