New Delhi, 30 Oct

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against 11 accused in connection with the murder of Suhas Shetty, who was hacked to death in broad daylight on 1 May.

The chargesheet, submitted before the NIA Special Court in Bengaluru, invokes provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) 1967, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, and the Arms Act 1959.

Investigations revealed that Shetty was targeted as part of a larger terror conspiracy. The accused allegedly tracked his movements for months before staging a car collision to trap him. When Shetty tried to escape on foot, he was chased and killed with swords and machetes.

The NIA identified Abdul Safwan, a former Popular Front of India (PFI) member, as the main conspirator, aided by Niyaz, Mohammed Musamir, Noushad, and Adil Maharoof, who financed the plot. Others named include Kalandar Shafi, Nagaraja, Ranjith, Rizwan, Azaruddin, and Abdul Khader.

The investigation against another accused, Abdul Razak, remains ongoing.