Two sentenced to life for 2019 murder

 

By Sagaya Fernando | September 24, 2026

Puttur, Karnataka, INDIA: The 5th Additional District and Sessions Court in Puttur has sentenced two men to life imprisonment for the 2019 murder of 27-year-old Karthik Suvarna Merla, who was associated with the Hindu Jagarana Vedike (HJV).

The court convicted Preethesh Shetty of Ullal and Kiran Rai of Sampya and imposed a fine of Rs 3 lakh on each. Of the total fine amount, Rs 5.90 lakh has been ordered to be paid as compensation to Karthik’s mother, Hemavathi.

The two were also sentenced to one month’s imprisonment and fined Rs 500 each for an offence under Section 341 of the Indian Penal Code.

Judge Sadananda Nagappa Naik pronounced the judgment, while Public Prosecutor Jayanti Bhat represented the prosecution.

Another accused, Steven Monthero of Attavar in Mangaluru, was acquitted after the prosecution failed to prove the charges against him. A fourth accused, Charan Raj Rai, who was Kiran Rai’s brother, was murdered in 2022 while the trial was pending.

Killed during Ganeshotsava celebrations

Karthik, a resident of Aryapu Merla, was killed on the night of September 3, 2019, during Ganeshotsava celebrations in the Puttur area.

According to the prosecution, Karthik had attended Ganeshotsava programmes that evening and later went to Sampya, where a Yakshagana performance was being held as part of the festivities.

A quarrel allegedly broke out between Karthik and the accused and subsequently escalated into violence.

The prosecution alleged that Charan Raj Rai and Kiran Rai restrained Karthik while Preethesh Shetty attacked him with a sharp weapon, causing a serious injury to his chest.

Karthik was rushed to a hospital in Puttur but succumbed to his injuries.

Following a complaint lodged by Karthik’s uncle, Keshava Suvarna, Puttur Rural Police registered a murder case. Four accused were arrested during the investigation and a chargesheet was subsequently filed before the court.

Investigators had also alleged that there was previous hostility between Karthik and some of the accused over a financial transaction dating back to 2018.

After considering the evidence and arguments presented during the trial, the court found Preethesh Shetty and Kiran Rai guilty and sentenced them to life imprisonment.

Co-accused Charan Raj murdered in 2022

Charan Raj Rai, another accused in Karthik’s murder case, was out on bail while the trial was underway when he was murdered at Perlampady in June 2022.

According to reports from the time, Charan was attacked with a sharp weapon while he was preparing to open a medical shop in the area. Police subsequently arrested suspects in connection with his killing.

Reports had suggested that Charan’s murder could have been an act of revenge linked to Karthik’s killing. However, the alleged motive and any connection between the two cases are matters of evidence in the separate proceedings concerning Charan’s murder.

With the latest judgment, two accused in Karthik Suvarna Merla’s 2019 murder have been sentenced to life imprisonment, one accused has been acquitted, while Charan Raj Rai died before the conclusion of the trial.