Bengaluru, May 1 (NationPress) The Karnataka Police has taken action against three officers, including an Inspector, due to allegations of negligence related to a mob lynching incident in the state.

The suspended personnel include Inspector Shivakumar from the Mangaluru Rural police station, along with Head Constable P. Chandra and Constable Yallalinga.

Various Muslim organizations and Leftist parties have accused the police of trying to cover up the lynching.

Dinesh Gundu Rao, the Health Minister and District Incharge Minister, has sent a letter to Home Minister G. Parameshwara, urging for the suspension of Inspector Shivakumar.

Initially, it was claimed that Shivakumar registered a case of unnatural death, but as the situation escalated into a major controversy, he subsequently filed a murder case.

The lynching occurred in the sensitive Mangaluru district of Karnataka, where reports indicate that the victim was brutally beaten to death by a mob of over 30 individuals for allegedly chanting ‘Pakistan Zindabad.‘

However, Home Minister Parameshwara confirmed that an investigation is underway.

The victim, identified as Mohammad Ashraf, aged between 35 and 40, was from Ullapalli village, located near Manandawadi in Kerala.

So far, Karnataka Police have arrested 20 suspects linked to the case and identified over 30 others involved in the murder.

Importantly, for the first time, police have invoked Section 103(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act, specifically designed for mob lynching, which stipulates severe penalties including death or life imprisonment.

The main suspect in the case is Sachin, an auto driver, with others arrested including Devadas, Saideep, and Manjunath.

The police are also interrogating the husband of a former corporator.

Home Minister Parameshwara commented, “We have detained nearly 20 suspects. The police are examining their backgrounds thoroughly. We are serious about this situation. Ongoing investigations also involve questioning others who were present during the cricket match to gather further insights.”

He emphasized, “This case is being handled with utmost seriousness. I should clarify that I did not assert that the victim yelled ‘Pakistan Zindabad.’ This was merely a claim from those involved in the lynching, according to police reports.”

“The investigation will also assess any police failures. We are reviewing every facet of the incident. I urge all communities to understand that we are treating this case seriously, as we do with all others. While the aggrieved may feel the inquiry is slow, I assure you of our full commitment,” he added.

On a recent Sunday evening, a body was discovered under the jurisdiction of the Vamanjur police station. The body exhibited signs of injury, and the case was initially recorded as suspicious death.

Further probing revealed that the lynching transpired during a cricket tournament, where the victim was attacked by a mob over alleged provocative remarks.

Post-mortem results confirmed that the individual had been lynched, leading to the case being upgraded to a murder investigation.

The victim's family has indicated that he struggled with mental health issues.