Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara clarified his earlier statement when he said there were reports about the deceased person raising a pro-Pakistan slogan.
Published Apr 30, 2025 | 4:11 PM ⚊ Updated May 02, 2025 | 10:21 AM
Ashraf (36) was mob lynched in Mangaluru.
Synopsis: Mangaluru Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal said the man who was mob lynched a few days ago has been identified as Ashraf, a native of Wayanad in Kerala. When asked about the allegation that he was beaten up for raising pro-Pakistan slogans, the officer said no credible evidence was available.
Mangaluru Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal said on Wednesday, 30 April, that the man who was mob lynched in the city a few days ago has been identified as Ashraf (36), a native of Wayanad in Kerala.
After the photo of the unidentified body was circulated, the family members of Ashraf from Kerala came forward and took the mortal remains to their native place for burial. The man was said to be in an unstable mental condition.
“The person is identified as Ashraf, and his family members came from Kerala to Mangaluru to claim his body. We followed the procedures and handed his body to them. One of his relatives told us that Ashraf was undergoing treatment as he was mentally challenged. We also understood that he was hardly in touch with the family members and stayed in Mangaluru doing menial jobs,” the police officer told South First.
When asked about the allegation that he was beaten up for raising pro-Pakistan slogans, the officer said no credible evidence was available.
“It will take time to find out the exact motives behind beating up the man because a lot of people were present there playing a local cricket match. We are interrogating eyewitnesses if the man who was lynched shouted slogans in favour of Pakistan. However, one of the accused said he heard him raising slogans of Pakistan Zindabad. But it is not clear yet as to what led a group of men to beat him up,” the official.
The body of Ashraf was buried on Wednesday at the graveyard of Choalkkundu Juma Masjid in Malappuram.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara clarified his earlier statement when he said there were reports about the deceased person raising a pro-Pakistan slogan.
“An incident of mob lynching has been reported involving an unidentified individual. I was informed that there are reports he was shouting ‘Pakistan Zindabad during a local cricket match. This led some people to beat him up. Though he didn’t die on the spot, he passed away later. I am yet to get the full report of the investigation. Nearly 10 or 12 people have been arrested in this regard,” Parameshwara said on Tuesday.
“We will definitely take it seriously. It should not happen anywhere in the country, especially in Karnataka, which is a peaceful state. We don’t allow these things to happen. Even if he raised slogans like Pakistan Zindabad, they should have informed the police who would take action against him,” he added.
After reports emerged saying Parameshwara had confirmed that the man had indeed raised pro-Pakistan slogans.
Clarifying his statement, Parameshwara said on Wednesday: “When the police interrogated the accused, they said that he had raised slogans, ‘Pakistan Zindabad’. I did not say it myself (that he raised slogans), whereas you (media) are presenting it as though I said it. We are investigating it further. It is only an expression given by those people who were arrested. We also need witnesses to second this statement if the man had raised slogans.”
“I wanted to give the clarification that it is not my statement, but it is the statement of the accused. I will share all details based on the full report.”
He continued, “Currently, 20 people have been arrested in this case. The police are still trying to find out the details of those involved. We have taken the case seriously. I got to know from the police that a lot of people had gathered there to play cricket,” he added.
When asked if the police were lethargic in the investigation, Parameshwar said, “The report will also highlight if the police failed to identify this issue. The aggrieved parties might feel that the police are not serious about it. But our police and the government are very much serious about these issues.”
Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that anyone who speaks in favour of Pakistan is a traitor.
“A case has been registered against people involved in mob lynching case in Mangaluru. Action will be taken after the detailed report is filed,” the chief minister said.
The man was assaulted during a cricket match on a ground near the Bhatra Kallurti Temple in Kudupu around 3 pm on 27 April.
Though the body bore no external injuries, doctors at Wenlock District Hospital, who performed the post-mortem examination on 28 April, informed the police in their preliminary report that internal bleeding and shock resulting from multiple strong blows to the back and other body parts, and a lack of timely medical treatment, had led to the man’s death.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
