The Karnataka Police have taken legal action against several individuals for sharing inflammatory and communal content on social media following the tragic killing of a 21-year-old woman named Lavanya at the KSRTC bus stand in Bantwal town, Mangaluru district. Edited images of the suspect were circulated online with communal and political implications, falsely linking him to various identities such as a Hindu activist, Bajrang Dal member, and Congress worker, which could disrupt communal harmony in the sensitive Mangaluru region.
Authorities in Bantwal have filed cases against social media profiles including Troll Master, Udaif Anakkal, Hiba Fathima, Padmaraj, Aliya Alifa, Shailaja Amarnath, Chetan Belchada, Harsha K. Shetty, and Kiran Aradhya for their alleged involvement in spreading provocative content. Allegations surfaced on social media suggesting the suspect’s affiliation with the Bajrang Dal, leading to heated debates online targeting Hindu organizations.
Given the region’s history of communal tensions, law enforcement is vigilant against such provocations on social media. The recent incident involving the brutal murder of Lavanya, a young woman from Kakyapadavu, has prompted swift action. The accused, identified as Chethan (22), was apprehended by the police, who suspect that he had been stalking Lavanya after she rejected his advances.
Investigations are ongoing, with authorities looking into claims of the suspect’s ties to a Hindu group. Eyewitnesses recounted the tragic events leading to Lavanya’s murder, where she was attacked with a machete in public view at the Bantwal bus stand. The shocking incident, captured on video, has sparked outrage and renewed concerns about women’s safety in public spaces in Mangaluru.
Senior police officials are actively involved in the case, with special teams deployed to track down the perpetrator. The community’s demand for justice and enhanced security measures at public transport hubs has intensified following this horrific incident that has deeply affected the city.
