A protest over the death of a 48-year-old man disrupted traffic on the highway outside Surathkal police station in Mangaluru on Tuesday, after local residents alleged that police action following a quarrel had contributed to his suicide.
The deceased, identified as Somanath of Hosabettu, had been booked at Surathkal police station after an argument with a young couple near the Surathkal jetty, according to a complaint filed by his brother-in-law Neeladhar Shreeyan of Idya Guddekopla. The complaint was registered at the same police station.
The complaint stated that Somanath, who had been working in Goa and had remained at home for about a month, had consumed alcohol with friends on Sunday night before the quarrel. It said he later left a note accepting responsibility for his actions and died by suicide at home on Tuesday. The details were reported by Prajavani based on the complaint.
Angered by the death, local residents placed the body outside the police station and staged a protest. The demonstration affected vehicle movement on the highway. Local youths alleged that the conduct of the police had also played a role in the death and demanded action against the young woman who had reportedly complained about the incident.
Mangaluru MLA Dr Y Bharath Shetty visited the protest site and said a case had been registered against Somanath after police questioned people who had come to the Surathkal jetty at night. He also called for a case to be registered against the young couple, according to the report.
Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy said police had informed the protesters that an FIR would be registered and an investigation conducted if a complaint was submitted against the young woman. Following that assurance, the protesters ended the demonstration and moved the body away from the police station. The report did not provide further details about the investigation or any subsequent police action.
