Three police personnel, including an Inspector, have been suspended by the Karnataka Police following allegations of negligence in handling a mob lynching case in Mangaluru district.
Inspector Shivakumar of Mangaluru Rural Police Station, Head Constable P. Chandra, and Constable Yallalinga have been placed under suspension after widespread criticism from civil society groups and political leaders.
Lynchings Spark Political & Public Backlash
The incident, which occurred in the communally sensitive Mangaluru region, saw Mohammad Ashraf, a man believed to be mentally ill and originally from Kerala’s Uilapalli village near Manandavadi, brutally beaten by a mob. Eyewitnesses claim the mob acted on accusations that Ashraf had shouted pro-Pakistan slogans during a local cricket match.
Initially, the police registered the case as a suspicious death.
However, post-mortem findings confirmed Ashraf had been assaulted, prompting the case to be converted into a murder investigation. Critics have accused the local police of downplaying the crime and failing to act swiftly.
Minister Demands Accountability
The suspension followed a letter from Karnataka’s Health Minister and Mangaluru district in-charge, Dinesh Gundu Rao, who demanded strict action against Inspector Shivakumar. The Minister cited concerns that the initial classification of the death was intended to deflect attention from what was, in reality, a lynching.
Home Minister Responds
Addressing the media, Home Minister G. Parameshwara emphasized the seriousness with which the government is treating the case. “So far, around 20 people have been arrested. We are looking into the backgrounds of all suspects and examining every angle,” he said. The Minister clarified that while there are claims about the victim shouting “Pakistan Zindabad,” this is based solely on what the accused have stated and has not been independently verified.
First Use Of Anti-Lynching Law
In a notable development, the Karnataka Police have invoked Section 103(2) of the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act—marking the first time this anti-lynching provision is being applied. This section carries the possibility of life imprisonment or even the death penalty for those convicted of participating in mob violence leading to death.
Along with prime accused Sachin, an auto-rickshaw driver, others taken into custody include Devadas, Saideep, and Manjunath. Investigators have identified over 30 individuals involved in the attack and continue questioning additional witnesses, including local residents and players present at the cricket match.
Family Reveals Mental Health History
Ashraf’s family has disclosed that he had a history of mental health issues, further complicating the nature of the incident and raising concerns about how quickly the mob resorted to violence.
Call For Calm & Justice
The Home Minister appealed to the public to allow the investigation to proceed without interference, assuring that the government is committed to transparency and justice. “We are treating this case with the utmost seriousness, just as we do with every other such incident,” he said.
The lynching and the alleged police inaction have once again brought to the forefront the challenges of mob violence and law enforcement accountability in India. The coming weeks will be crucial as the investigation unfolds and authorities decide on further action.
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