‘Siddaramaiah has become real Tipu’: Shobha Karandlaje slams CM over Suhas Shetty murder

BENGALURU: Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje on Monday called Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ‘Tipu Sultan’, while accusing him of backing former members of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) and indirectly facilitating their alleged involvement in the recent murder of Suhas Shetty.

Shobha Karandlaje’s allegations on Siddaramaiah came while she suggested the involvement of a past PFI member in the murder of Suhas Shetty, a Bajrang Dal member.

#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka: Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje says, “Whenever Siddaramaiah comes to power in the state, the Law and Order deteriorates here. It happened back in 2013, and this is repeating again. They are trying to impress only one community…Due to… pic.twitter.com/GfHMymygy2

— ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2025

Recalling the involvement of banned PFI members in the 2022 case of the murder of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Yuva Morcha member Praveen Nettaru, Shobha Karandlaje said, “The role of the PFI was clearly evident in the Praveen Nettaru case. That is why the central government banned the PFI. Due to Siddaramaiah’s support and the withdrawal of cases, all the accused are getting involved in murders. After 2013, Siddaramaiah has become the real ‘Tipu’. They called Suhas Shetty a rowdy-sheeter. If they already had information about Suhas Shetty’s murder, why wasn’t he given protection? Suhas Shetty was brutally hacked to death”.

The government banned PFI and several of its associate organisations on September 28, 2022, for five years under the stringent anti-terror law, accusing them of having links with global terror groups like ISIS.

Meanwhile, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya Shetty on Monday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding National Investigation Agency (NIA) take over the investigation into Suhas Shetty’s murder.

“In the past, the NIA had successfully uncovered PFI’s role in such targeted killings, and there is growing suspicion that similar forces might be involved in this case too. In view of this, I strongly urge the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to transfer the investigation of Suhas Shetty’s murder to the NIA. A central agency inquiry will ensure a fair, transparent and thorough investigation and help bring those responsible to justice”, read the letter.

Suhas Shetty, the main accused in the Fazil murder case, was killed by a group of unidentified men in Mangaluru around 8.30 pm on Thursday, as per the Mangaluru Police Commissioner.

Earlier, Home Minister G Parameshwara informed that eight people have been arrested in connection with the Suhas Shetty murder case. He said the state government planned to form an anti-communal task force to ensure action against those who indulge in communal activities. (ANI)