27-year old Pradeep Poojari of Perdoor Nayarkodi in Udupi district has died under mysterious circumstances and serious allegations of assault, threats and abetment to suicide have been made.
Pradeep allegedly committed suicide inside the toilet of Ajjarakadu District Hospital in Udupi on October 30 while being treated for injuries he got in an assault over a relationship dispute.
Pradeep brother Dileep Kumar lodged a complaint with Udupi City Police and police registered a case against more than ten people including the young woman involved in the dispute and several members of her family but allegations against those named in the complaint are yet to be established and police investigation is on.
Pradeep had been in a relationship with the young woman Shravya Shetty for about eight years. The complaint says that on October 27 at around 10 pm Pradeep was walking towards his house when several people including the woman's brothers came in three cars and forcibly took him to her residence (Prasanna Shetty, Sudhir Shetty, Shailesh Shetty, Sanath and Krishna Sujay etc).
A 27-year-old youth, who was allegedly assaulted and threatened by the family members of a young woman over a love dispute, died by suicide in the toilet of Udupi’s Ajjarakadu District Hospital, where he was undergoing treatment. A case has been registered at Udupi City Police Station against more than ten people, including the woman and her family members. The deceased has been identified as Pradeep Poojari (27), a resident of Perdoor Nayarkodi. He was reportedly associated with the Nayarkodi unit of the Hindu Jagaran Vedike and had been in a relationship with a young woman named Shravya Shetty for the past eight years. According to the police complaint, the incident took place on October 27 at around 10 pm. While Pradeep was walking towards his house, the woman's brothers, Prasanna Shetty, Sudhir Shetty, Shailesh Shetty, Sanath and Krishna Sujay, along with others, allegedly arrived in three cars and forcibly took him to the woman's house. The complaint states that Prasanna Shetty assaulted Pradeep on his legs and back with a cane, while the other accused allegedly attacked him with wooden sticks, causing injuries. The assault reportedly stopped after Pradeep's friends arrived at the house upon learning about the incident. Pradeep, who had sustained serious injuries, was admitted to Udupi Ajjarakadu District Hospital on October 28 and was receiving inpatient treatment. While undergoing treatment, Pradeep reportedly shared with his brother the distress he had experienced over the alleged assault and death threats by the woman and her family members. According to the police complaint, Pradeep, who was reportedly distressed by the incident and the alleged harassment, died by suicide in the hospital toilet at around 5.30 pm on October 30. Based on a complaint filed by Pradeep's brother, Dileep Kumar, Udupi City Police have registered a case against Shravya Shetty, Prasanna Shetty, Sudhir, Shailesh, Shashank, Krishna Sujay, Sanath, two migrant workers and others. The case has reportedly been registered under Crime No. 149/2026 under Sections 108 and 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Meanwhile, the young woman had previously lodged a complaint alleging that Pradeep Poojari was repeatedly harassing her by pressuring her to marry him. Based on the complaint, Hiriyadka Police arrested him, and he was subsequently released on bail. In November 2025, a separate allegation of rape was also made against Pradeep. A case was registered at Udupi Women's Police Station in connection with the complaint, following which the police arrested him, according to reports. Police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Pradeep Poojari's death and the allegations of assault and abetment to suicide. The allegations against all those named in the complaint are yet to be established.
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Prasanna Shetty cane-wrestled Pradeep on his legs and back, other accused persons attacked him with wooden sticks. Pradeep reportedly got injured during the assault. The alleged assault stopped only after some of his friends reached the house when they learnt what happened.
Pradeep was admitted to Udupi’s Ajjarakadu District Hospital on October 28 following the alleged attack and he was in hospital for inpatient treatment. He reportedly spoke to his brother about his distress after the assault and threats from the woman and her family members during his stay at the hospital.
The complaint said Pradeep was disturbed by the incident and harassment. On October 30 around 5.30 pm he allegedly committed suicide inside the toilet of the hospital. His death has raised questions as to what happened leading up to the incident and allegations made by his family.
On the complaint of Dileep Kumar Udupi City Police registered Crime No. 149/2026 under Sections 108 and 190 of BNS.
According to the complaint Shravya Shetty, Prasanna Shetty, Sudhir, Shailesh, Shashank Krishna Sujay Sanath two migrant workers and others have been named. The police are investigating the allegations of assault and abetment to suicide as well as events that led to Pradeep’s death.
There were earlier complaints and legal proceedings against the couple also in connection with this relationship. The young woman had earlier alleged that Pradeep harassed her repeatedly and was forcing her to marry him. Hiriyadka Police arrested him on her complaint and later released him on bail.
In November 2025 another rape case was also registered against Pradeep at Udupi Women’s Police Station but he was arrested after the case was registered, reports said. These are all part of background to dispute and not related to the allegations made by Pradeep’s family after his death. All claims need to be examined through legal process.
Meanwhile, Udupi District Billava Yuva Vedike has demanded a fair and thorough investigation into Pradeep’s death. A special meeting was held at Narayana Guru Sabha Bhavan in Bannanje under the chairmanship of District Billava Yuva Vedike President Praveen M Poojari. Community leaders and members of the deceased family were present in the meeting and discussed the progress in the case.
After the meeting delegation met Udupi District Superintendent of Police and submitted memorandum seeking justice for Pradeep. They demanded that police should investigate every aspect of the incident and take legal action against those allegedly involved in it.
The Udupi District Billava Yuva Vedike has demanded a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the death of Pradeep Poojari, a resident of Perdoor, who died by suicide at Udupi District Hospital following an alleged love failure. In this regard, a special meeting was held at Narayana Guru Sabha Bhavan in Bannanje under the leadership of District Billava Yuva Vedike President Praveen M. Poojari. Community leaders and family members of the deceased participated in the meeting and discussed the developments in the case. Following the meeting, a delegation met Udupi District Superintendent of Police and submitted a memorandum seeking justice for Pradeep Poojari. The delegation demanded a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the case and urged the police to arrest those allegedly involved without further delay. It also called for the formation of a special police team to ensure an effective and transparent investigation. The Billava Yuva Vedike also demanded an investigation into allegations of police negligence in connection with the case. Amid allegations that the victim's complaint was not accepted, the delegation urged authorities to investigate the conduct of the station officer and staff of Hiriyadka Police Station. The memorandum further demanded appropriate legal action against police personnel if negligence or dereliction of duty is established during the investigation. Expressing concern over the progress of the investigation, the Billava Yuva Vedike warned that it would organise a massive protest across Udupi district if there was any further negligence in the case. The organisation also indicated that the agitation could be extended across the state if justice was not delivered. Meanwhile, the delegation also met Udupi District In-charge Minister Rizwan Arshad and submitted a memorandum outlining its demands. The minister reportedly assured the delegation that appropriate action would be taken in connection with the case. The Billava Yuva Vedike and the deceased's family have reiterated their demand for justice, a transparent investigation and accountability wherever negligence is established.
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The Billava Yuva Vedike also wanted a special police team to be formed for the probe and for it to be conducted in an open manner. One of the major issues raised by the organisation is that Pradeep's complaint was not accepted at Hiriyadka Police Station.
The delegation demanded an inquiry into conduct of station officer and other policemen who were on duty. Senior officials should find out whether Pradeep had approached police with complaint or not and what action was taken against him. Legal or departmental action should be taken if negligence or dereliction of duty is found during inquiry, said the organisation.
Besides approaching the district police chief, the delegation met Udupi District In-charge Minister Rizwan Arshad and submitted a memorandum detailing family concerns and demands.
The minister reportedly told them action would be taken in connection with the case but Billava Yuva Vedike said if there is further negligence or unsatisfactory response from authorities then they will organise large scale protest across Udupi district and if justice is not delivered agitation can be taken up across Karnataka also.
The investigation will now focus on the alleged assault on October 27, how Pradeep was hospitalised and died, threats mentioned in complaint as well as allegations of how his earlier complaint was handled.
Statements of witnesses, medical records etc may help establish sequence of events. Pradeep’s family and Billava Yuva Vedike have demanded justice, transparency and accountability wherever wrongdoing is established.
The allegations against all those named in the complaint are not proven yet and police investigation and subsequent legal proceedings will establish facts and whether anyone or official is responsible.
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