Bantwal Murder Accused Remains in ICU; Police Crack Down on Fake Social Media Posts

Bantwal Murder Accused Remains in ICU; Police Crack Down on Fake Social Media Posts

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, July 19, 2026: The accused in the murder of a 21-year-old woman near the KSRTC New Bus Stand at BC Road in Bantwal remains under observation in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Wenlock District Hospital, police said.

Chethan (22), a resident of Odinala in Belthangady, was taken into police custody on Friday after allegedly hacking Lavanya (21), a resident of Uli village in Bantwal taluk, to death on Thursday. According to police, the accused allegedly consumed rat poison before being apprehended and was subsequently admitted to Wenlock District Hospital for treatment.

Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Arun K said the accused continues to be in the ICU and is under medical observation. "He is still in the ICU at the hospital for observation. It may take two to three days for him to be discharged," he said.

Meanwhile, Dakshina Kannada Police have intensified action against individuals allegedly circulating edited photographs and sharing fake or provocative content on social media in connection with the murder, warning that attempts to disturb communal harmony will be dealt with firmly.

On Friday, Bantwal Town Police registered three separate cases against multiple social media accounts and WhatsApp groups for allegedly spreading misleading and inflammatory content related to the incident.

In a separate case, police booked Harsha K. Shetty for allegedly sharing a derogatory message along with a video and poster targeting a community in the ’Sri Ramasene Karkala’ WhatsApp group. Another case was registered against Kiran Aradhya for allegedly posting video footage of the murder on the X platform with a provocative message. Separate cases have been registered under Section 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in both instances.

Meanwhile, members of the Navasahaja Samudaya Sanghatane, Dakshina Kannada, staged a protest near the Mini Vidhana Soudha in Bantwal on Saturday, demanding capital punishment for the accused in the murder case. The protesters raised slogans demanding justice for the victim and declared that their agitation would continue until justice is delivered.