Mangaluru man lynched over 'pro-Pakistan' slogan; 15 held

A man was lynched near Kudupu in Mangaluru for allegedly shouting "Pakistan Zindabad" during a cricket match following which at least 15 persons have been arrested.

Confirming the incident that happened on April 27, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday said: "An incident of mob lynching has been reported. The individual whose identity is unknown shouted 'Pakistan Zindabad' during a local cricket match. A few people got together and beat him up. Later on, he died."

The victim was allegedly assaulted with sticks, resulting in multiple injuries that led to internal bleeding and shock. He was declared dead at the hospital, the police said.

Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal said: "A case has been registered under Section 103(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, at the Mangaluru Rural police station So far, 15 accused have been arrested, and the police are on the lookout for at least 10 more individuals."

The main accused, identified as Sachin, a resident of Kudupu, is already in the police's custody. "The section invoked in this case is very stringent — if proved, the accused, either individually or as a group, can face life imprisonment or even the death penalty. We invoked this section under the BNS as more than five people were involved in the crime," Agarwal said. -- Agencies