Mob Lynching in Mangaluru: 20 Arrested in Killing of Kerala Resident
30 April 2025 12:22 PM IST30 April 2025 12:22 PM IST
While a few bystanders tried to intervene, the group continued the assault, which eventually proved fatal
The Mangaluru City Police have arrested 20 individuals in connection with a mob lynching incident that occurred near Kudupu.
Mangaluru: The Mangaluru City Police have arrested 20 individuals in connection with a mob lynching incident that occurred near Kudupu on the outskirts of the city. The victim, initially unidentified, was later confirmed as Ashraf, a native of Pulpalli village in Sultan Bathery taluk, Wayanad district, Kerala.
According to Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal, the incident came to light on April 29 around 5:30 p.m., when the Mangaluru Rural Police Station received information about a dead body found near the Bhatra Kallurti Daivasthana (temple) in Kudupu. Police teams, including forensic and crime scene investigators, rushed to the spot and initiated a detailed probe.
Initially registered as a case of unnatural death, the body was shifted to the Wenlock District Hospital for post-mortem. Efforts to ascertain the victim's identity involved circulating his photograph and gathering evidence through CCTV footage, mobile tower data, and witness statements.
The post-mortem, conducted on April 28, revealed that Ashraf had died due to internal bleeding and shock resulting from repeated blows to his back, compounded by the absence of timely medical assistance.
Investigations revealed that the assault took place on April 27 around 3 p.m., during a cricket match held near the temple grounds. A group of individuals reportedly attacked the victim using sticks, their hands, and by kicking him. While a few bystanders tried to intervene, the group continued the assault, which eventually proved fatal.
Based on a complaint filed by Deepak Kumar (33), the police registered a case at the Mangaluru Rural Police Station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including Section 103(2), which pertains to murder committed by five or more persons on grounds such as caste, community, religion, or personal belief — a provision addressing mob lynching. This marks the first instance of Section 103(2) being invoked in Mangaluru since the BNS came into force.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Sachin T, Devadas, Manjunath, Saideep, Nitesh Kumar alias Santosh, Dheekshith Kumar, Sandeep, Vivian Alvares, Sridatta, Rahul, Pradeep Kumar, Manish Shetty, Dhanush, Dheekshith, Kishore Kumar, Yathiraj, Sachin, Anil, Sushanth, and Adarsh. Police believe over 25 people were involved and said efforts are on to apprehend the remaining suspects.
Commissioner Agarwal confirmed that the victim’s family has been informed and is travelling to Mangaluru to formally identify the body and complete legal formalities.
While speculation is rife about the motive, police stated that the exact reason behind the lynching is yet to be confirmed as investigations continue.
Earlier in the day, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara addressed reporters in Bengaluru, referring to preliminary information. “An incident of mob lynching has been reported in Mangaluru. The victim’s identity was initially unknown. I have received an unverified report that the individual was allegedly shouting ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ during a local cricket match, which led to the assault. He later died from injuries. The actual report is awaited,” he said.
The Home Minister emphasized that no one should take the law into their own hands. “Even if such slogans were shouted, the individual should have been handed over to the police,” he added.
Police have assured a thorough investigation and pledged to bring all those involved to justice.
According to Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal, the incident came to light on April 29 around 5:30 p.m., when the Mangaluru Rural Police Station received information about a dead body found near the Bhatra Kallurti Daivasthana (temple) in Kudupu. Police teams, including forensic and crime scene investigators, rushed to the spot and initiated a detailed probe.
Initially registered as a case of unnatural death, the body was shifted to the Wenlock District Hospital for post-mortem. Efforts to ascertain the victim's identity involved circulating his photograph and gathering evidence through CCTV footage, mobile tower data, and witness statements.
The post-mortem, conducted on April 28, revealed that Ashraf had died due to internal bleeding and shock resulting from repeated blows to his back, compounded by the absence of timely medical assistance.
Investigations revealed that the assault took place on April 27 around 3 p.m., during a cricket match held near the temple grounds. A group of individuals reportedly attacked the victim using sticks, their hands, and by kicking him. While a few bystanders tried to intervene, the group continued the assault, which eventually proved fatal.
Based on a complaint filed by Deepak Kumar (33), the police registered a case at the Mangaluru Rural Police Station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including Section 103(2), which pertains to murder committed by five or more persons on grounds such as caste, community, religion, or personal belief — a provision addressing mob lynching. This marks the first instance of Section 103(2) being invoked in Mangaluru since the BNS came into force.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Sachin T, Devadas, Manjunath, Saideep, Nitesh Kumar alias Santosh, Dheekshith Kumar, Sandeep, Vivian Alvares, Sridatta, Rahul, Pradeep Kumar, Manish Shetty, Dhanush, Dheekshith, Kishore Kumar, Yathiraj, Sachin, Anil, Sushanth, and Adarsh. Police believe over 25 people were involved and said efforts are on to apprehend the remaining suspects.
Commissioner Agarwal confirmed that the victim’s family has been informed and is travelling to Mangaluru to formally identify the body and complete legal formalities.
While speculation is rife about the motive, police stated that the exact reason behind the lynching is yet to be confirmed as investigations continue.
Earlier in the day, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara addressed reporters in Bengaluru, referring to preliminary information. “An incident of mob lynching has been reported in Mangaluru. The victim’s identity was initially unknown. I have received an unverified report that the individual was allegedly shouting ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ during a local cricket match, which led to the assault. He later died from injuries. The actual report is awaited,” he said.
The Home Minister emphasized that no one should take the law into their own hands. “Even if such slogans were shouted, the individual should have been handed over to the police,” he added.
Police have assured a thorough investigation and pledged to bring all those involved to justice.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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