Police Take Suo Motu Cognisance of Social Media Threats to VHP Leaders

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 4, 2025: The police have taken suo motu cognisance of two threatening posts targeting Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leaders Sharan Pumpwell and Bharath Kundelu, following alarming comments on local news outlets’ Facebook pages.

A comment on V4News by user ’Sajow Cont’ read, “Next target Sharan Pumpwell, be ready to die,” while another on Suddi Puttur by Abdul Muneer stated, “Nest booking Saran Pumpeel.” Kavoor police have registered a case in connection with these threats.

Bharath Kundelu and Sharan Pumpwell

Separately, a post on Facebook threatened grievous harm to VHP Puttur Convenor Bharath Kundelu before May 5, allegedly in retaliation for the 2017 murder of SDPI activist Ashraf Kalai. Bantwal Rural Police are investigating.

In another development, police are probing two posts made before and after the May 1 murder of Suhas Shetty, a 30-year-old murder accused and former Bajrang Dal member. One post surfaced in March and another immediately after the killing.

Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal said the authenticity of these posts is under verification, as many are suspected to be from fake accounts. Social media monitoring cells across Mangaluru have been activated, with 14 cases registered recently for derogatory or inflammatory content. Identified users will be issued notices for inquiry.