Former Dakshina Kannada District Youth Congress president Bondala Jagannatha Shetty was killed in an accident on the National Highway near Panemangalore in Bantwal Rural police station limits on Tuesday night. His body was brought in a procession to the city on Wednesday before taking it to his native Shambur.
According to police, Jagannatha Shetty (43) was returning to his house in Shambur in his sports utility vehicle from Mangalore.
The road leading to Shambur comes a few meters after crossing the check-post in Panemangalore. Mr. Shetty crossed the check-post and went straight along the National Highway.
After dropping his driver home, Mr. Shetty’s car was taking a turn towards Shambur Road when a truck, which was carrying liquefied petroleum gas cylinders, rammed into the car. Mr. Shetty died on the spot.
The truck driver fled the scene. On Wednesday, the hearse carrying the body of Shetty was brought in a procession from the A.J. Shetty Hospital to the Congress Party office in Hampankatta. A large number of Congress party activists including Dakshina Kannada Congress Committee president B. Ramanath Rai paid their tributes. Mr. Rai said Shetty was a secular leader and had identified with all sections of the society. AICC member P.V. Mohan said Shetty was a contender for the party ticket for the upassembly elections from Puttur. Mr. Mohan said earlier attacks on Shetty raises suspicion over the accident.
The hearse then moved to Shambur where he was cremated.
