Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, June 29: The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which has taken over the probe into the murder of rowdy sheeter Suhas Shetty near Kinnipadavu Junction in Bajpe on May 1, has now launched an investigation into the financial sources behind the crime.
NIA officials have already secured custody of eight key accused till July 1 and are subjecting them to intense interrogation. All investigation records gathered earlier by the Mangaluru City Crime Branch (CCB) have been officially handed over to the NIA.
Now, the NIA is closely scrutinising bank accounts of all 12 individuals — including both the direct accused and those who allegedly aided them. According to sources, the agency has uncovered evidence of money being transferred to the accused’s accounts from certain local individuals. Additionally, the bank accounts of family members of the accused are also being examined.
NIA DIG Rahul and SP Shivakumar have been briefed in full about the case, and a team headed by DySP Pawan Kumar is spearheading the ongoing probe.
Earlier, Hindu organisations and BJP leaders had raised suspicion that foreign funds were deposited in the accounts of the accused in the Suhas murder case. They had also dismissed the narrative that the killing was financed using Rs 5 lakh reportedly provided by Adil, brother of Fazil, who was murdered in Surathkal.
Suspected links to banned PFI
During interrogation, some of the accused allegedly admitted that individuals previously identified as associated with the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), and currently residing abroad, had provided financial support for the murder. Sources suggest the NIA has now gathered credible evidence pointing to links between the accused and the banned organisation.