HJV activist Karthik Suvarna murder case: Two accused sentenced to life imprisonment

Mangalore Today News Network

Puttur, Sep 23, 2026: The 5th Additional District and Sessions Court in Puttur has sentenced two men to life imprisonment for the murder of Hindu Jagarana Vedike general secretary Karthik Suvarna Merla, 27, during a Ganeshotsava celebration at Sampya on September 3, 2019.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 3 lakh each on the two convicted accused, identified as Preethesh Shetty of Ullal and Kiran Rai of Sampya.

There were four accused in the case. The second accused, Charan Raj Rai, was murdered in June 2022, while the fourth accused, Steven Monthero of Attavar, Mangaluru, was acquitted after the charges against him were not proved.

The court directed that Rs 5.90 lakh from the fine collected from the convicted accused be paid to Karthik Merla’s mother.

In connection with an offence under Section 341 of the IPC, the court also sentenced the accused to one month in prison and imposed a fine of Rs 500.

Judge Sadananda Nagappa Naik pronounced the judgment. Public Prosecutor Jayanti Bhat represented the prosecution.

Background

Karthik, who was actively associated with the Hindu Jagarana Vedike, had attended a public Ganeshotsava programme at the premises of Puttur Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple on the night of September 3, 2019. He later travelled to his village, Sampya, to participate in a Ganeshotsava procession.

He subsequently went near a pandal to watch a Yakshagana performance being held as part of the celebrations. A quarrel reportedly broke out between Karthik and the accused and later escalated.

According to the prosecution, brothers Charan Raj Rai and Kiran Rai restrained Karthik while Preethesh attacked him with a sharp weapon. Karthik sustained serious injuries and was taken to a hospital in Puttur, where he was declared dead.

Based on a complaint filed by Karthik’s uncle Keshava Suvarna, Puttur Rural Police registered a case and arrested four accused. A chargesheet was subsequently filed before the court.

Charan Raj Rai was murdered in 2022

Charan Raj Rai, brother of convicted accused Kiran Rai, was stabbed to death at Perlampady on June 4, 2022. The incident was reportedly linked to a revenge attack.

Charan was reportedly preparing to open a medical shop in Perlampady when unidentified persons allegedly arrived on a motorcycle and attacked him in the evening.

Police arrested the accused in that case, which is currently under trial.