Probe into Suhas Shetty, Ashraf murders conducted using evidence-based scientific method: Police Commissioner

Probe into Suhas Shetty, Ashraf murders conducted using evidence-based scientific method: Police Commissioner

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, June 24, 2025: Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy on Monday said the police have probed into the murders of Suhas Shetty at Bajpe and Ashraf at Kudupu using an evidence-based scientific method. Anyone with any additional information or evidence may provide it directly to the police instead of posting it on social media platforms, he said.

With the Suhas Shetty case now being taken up by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Mr. Reddy provided details of the two investigations conducted by the Mangaluru police to the media here.

“Whenever we provided details about the progress of the probe to those who claimed justice had not been served for the victims and their families, the information was often misused,” he regretted.

Police have so far examined more than 100 people and will continue to investigate others if they find any evidence in the Ashraf murder case. If people attempt to mislead the police and public through social media posts, action would be taken against them under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita, Mr. Reddy cautioned. While the police would not harass innocent people, they would not spare the culprits, he asserted.

There were allegations against the police that the accused had previously planned the place to attack Suhas Shetty, that many people had assembled prior to the attack, indicating they were party to it and that two women helped the accused to flee. The police meticulously examined CCTV and other video footage of the incident and realised that people instantly gathered at the spot when a car initially hit Suhas’ vehicle, and that the two women had in fact objected to the action of the accused, the Police Commissioner clarified. 

Initial lapses

There were initial lapses on the part of the police in not registering Ashraf’s death as a murder case. Action was being taken against the officials concerned, even as they were being investigated, Mr. Reddy added.

Additionally, there were allegations that the police did not take action against a few individuals, including the husband of the former local councillor. Though he was said to be present at the location, there was no evidence that he either assaulted the victim or provoked assailants, Mr. Reddy said. 

While a few people were assaulting the victim, a few others continued to play cricket at the location. Therefore, all of them could not be held parties to the crime. Probe was conducted based on available photographs of the location, the dead body, on the basis of footwear worn by the assailants, etc., in a scientific manner, he said.

Regarding hate speech, Mr. Reddy stated that the police have the authority to arrest individuals making provocative speeches on the spot. Even though those accused of delivering hate speeches get bail, repeated offenders would be suitably dealt with under the law, he said.

Courtesy: The Hindu