Mob Lynches Man for Allegedly Shouting ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ During Cricket Match; 15 Arrested
A man was reportedly lynched by a mob during a dispute that erupted amid a cricket match on the outskirts of Mangaluru, leading to the arrest of 15 individuals, the police said on Tuesday.
Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara, referring to the incident as a “mob lynching”, stated that he had not yet received the full report but assured that the matter would be handled with utmost seriousness.
The deceased, whose identity remains unknown, had allegedly shouted “Pakistan Zindabad” during the local cricket game, sparking outrage among those present, police sources indicated.
The violence unfolded around 3 PM on April 27 near the Bhatra Kallurti temple located in Kudupu village, on Mangaluru’s outskirts. The victim was brutally assaulted with sticks, sustaining severe injuries that led to internal bleeding and shock. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital, police officials confirmed.
Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal, during a press briefing, mentioned that an initial case of unnatural death was registered after the victim’s body was discovered near the temple premises. However, a post-mortem conducted the next day revealed that the death was a result of multiple blunt force injuries and lack of timely medical care.
A case has now been filed under Section 103(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which pertains to murder by a group of five or more individuals. This case was registered at the Mangaluru Rural Police Station following a complaint from a local resident.
According to Commissioner Agarwal, 15 people have been taken into custody so far, with efforts ongoing to locate at least 10 more suspects. The primary accused, identified as Sachin from Kudupu, is currently in police custody. “The section applied under the BNS is very strict—those found guilty, either individually or collectively, may face life imprisonment or even the death penalty. The provision was invoked because more than five individuals were involved in the crime,” he explained.
Investigators are currently reviewing CCTV footage and mobile phone data to piece together the sequence of events leading to the attack.
Home Minister Parameshwara told reporters that while details regarding the victim’s identity remain unclear, preliminary information suggests he might have been from outside the state. He added, “I was informed that the individual was allegedly chanting ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ during the cricket match. This provoked some people to assault him. He did not die on the spot but succumbed later due to shock and injuries.”
Calling for calm and emphasizing the rule of law, the Minister added, “We will deal with this case seriously. Such incidents are unacceptable, not only in Karnataka but anywhere. Karnataka is a peaceful state and we aim to maintain that. Even if he made such a statement, the right course would have been to hand him over to the police, not take matters into their own hands.”
Dakshina Kannada District In-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao also condemned the killing in a post on ‘X’. He reported that the conflict started as a verbal altercation between players of different communities during the match, which escalated into a physical assault.
Rao confirmed that several suspects had been arrested and assured the public that a thorough investigation is ongoing. Urging citizens to stay calm, he said, “Such incidents damage communal harmony. I have directed police to act strictly against those responsible. I urge people not to believe in rumors and maintain peace.”