Mangaluru: All 101 accused acquitted in 2017 police commissioner office siege case

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Apr 18, 2026: In a significant verdict, a local court has acquitted all 101 accused in connection with the 2017 protest and subsequent lathi-charge incident outside the Police Commissioner’s office in the city.

The incident dates back to April 4, 2017, when activists from various organisations attempted to lay siege to the Police Commissioner’s office. The protest was organised alleging that the police had illegally detained one Ahmed Qureshi in connection with a murder case and subjected him to custodial torture without producing him before a court.

As the protest turned tense, police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the crowd. Following the incident, Pandeshwar police registered three separate cases against the protesters, accusing them of stone pelting and rioting. A total of 101 individuals were named as accused in the final charge sheet.

While two of the cases were tried in the Second JMFC Court, the third case was heard in the District and Sessions Court. After a prolonged trial, the court observed that the prosecution had failed to produce sufficient evidence to prove the charges against the accused.

Accordingly, the court ordered the acquittal of all 101 individuals involved in the case.

The accused were represented by advocates Asif Baikady, Mufeeda Rehman, Irshad Sakhafi Montepadavu, Ayaz Charmadi, Mohammed Adil, Nishan M.K., Rubina, and Anseena from Mangaluru-based Lex Juris.