Mangaluru: Bajpe police have registered an FIR following a complaint alleging a conspiracy to murder a man from another faith in retaliation for the murder of right-wing activist Suhas Shetty in May 2025. The investigation has been handed over to the Central Crime Branch (CCB), and no arrests have been made so far, city police commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy CH said.“The investigation will establish the facts. We will collect evidence in support of those facts and take further steps once sufficient evidence is gathered. Admissible evidence is crucial, and all efforts will be made to collect it,” he said.According to the complaint, Abhishek told police that he had known Sudeep of Udupi for about one-and-a-half years. Following Shetty’s murder, Sudeep allegedly spoke of taking revenge by killing a man from another faith, and invited Abhishek to join the alleged plan. The complaint states that meetings were held at a hotel near the Udupi bus stand and later near Attur Church in Karkala, where Sudeep allegedly introduced Mahesh, who is accused of offering support and promising Rs 24 lakh for the operation. He allegedly also offered monthly groceries worth Rs 5,000 to the families of those involved during their imprisonment, and Rs 15,000 a month towards household expenses.The complaint further alleges that a photograph of the intended target was shared, and that reconnaissance was conducted in the Kinnipadavu area. Abhishek also allegedly contacted Chinthan Gundya of Aletty village, who reportedly expressed his willingness to participate for payment. Abhishek claimed that he brought two swords from his house in preparation for the proposed attack.However, he said he abandoned the plan after his wife gave birth, fearing criminal proceedings. He also told police that he delayed filing the complaint because he feared Sudeep and Mahesh, whom he described as having criminal backgrounds. Abhishek said WhatsApp chats, screenshots and other communications relating to the alleged conspiracy were stored on his mobile phone, and would be submitted to police.
