Karnataka HC Provides Relief to Anuradha in Ricky Rai Shooting Incident

Bengaluru, April 22 (NationPress) The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday offered relief to Anuradha, the second wife of the deceased underworld figure Muthappa Rai, in relation to the shooting incident involving his son, Ricky Rai.

The bench, led by Justice Hemanth Chandangoudar, instructed the police to refrain from taking any coercive measures against Anuradha.

This ruling was made during the consideration of a petition filed by Anuradha, requesting the cancellation of the FIR lodged against her linked to the case.

Anuradha has been implicated as a suspect in the case where Ricky Rai was shot at by unknown assailants outside his farmhouse in Bidadi, located on the outskirts of Bengaluru, during the night between April 18 and 19.

The FIR was filed by the Bidadi Police against four individuals, including Anuradha, following a complaint by Ricky's driver, Basavaraj.

Senior lawyer Venkatesh Arambatti, representing Anuradha, contended that her name was wrongfully implicated in the case.

He stated that all conflicts between Anuradha and Ricky Rai had been settled six months prior.

Arambatti also informed the court that Anuradha had traveled to Europe with her daughter on April 14, asserting her lack of involvement in the attempted murder.

Considering these arguments, the High Court granted interim protection to Anuradha.

Simultaneously, the Bidadi police, who are conducting the investigation, have been interrogating Munappa Vittal, the gunman of Ricky Rai.

During the interrogation, Munappa reportedly experienced chest pain and was admitted to a hospital.

Munappa had previously served as a gunman for Muthappa Rai.

Police sources indicated they are verifying Ricky Rai's statements and are skeptical about the sequence of events surrounding the shooting.

Investigations have uncovered that an empty cartridge and a dummy mobile phone were discovered at the crime scene.

Rakesh Malli, the primary accused in the case, appeared at the Bidadi police station on Tuesday, accompanied by his attorney, for questioning.

Ramanagara Superintendent of Police Srinivas Gowda, addressing the media, confirmed that all individuals suspected of being involved in the incident are being interrogated.

He also noted that Anuradha, the second wife of Muthappa Rai, will receive a notice and be summoned for questioning.

"Anyone identified by the complainant will be questioned," he remarked.

Police reports indicate that on April 19, shots were fired while Ricky was in his vehicle.

Driver Basavaraj was at the wheel, and Ricky reportedly managed to duck just as the shots were fired, narrowly evading serious injuries.

He sustained injuries to his nose and hand.

Ricky was severely injured during the attack.

He was initially taken to a private hospital in Bidadi and later transferred to Bengaluru for further treatment.

Preliminary investigations suggested that two attempts were made on Ricky's life.

The first incident of gunfire occurred at 11 p.m. last Friday.

Upon hearing the shot, Basavaraj exited the vehicle to investigate.

Subsequently, while they were en route to Bengaluru at approximately 12:50 a.m., the second assault transpired.

Police retrieved two bullets from different locations near the farmhouse.

An FIR was lodged against Rakesh Malli, Anuradha, Nitesh Shetty, and Vaidyanathan under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 109, 3(5), and under the Arms Act.

The incident allegedly occurred right after Ricky left his farmhouse.

Authorities suspect the involvement of the underworld and are also exploring the possibility that the attack may be tied to a real estate dispute.

Another angle under investigation is whether individuals with grievances against the late Muthappa Rai orchestrated the shooting.

Police are collecting statements from family members and staff as part of their inquiry.

Initial findings reveal that following Muthappa Rai's death, disputes arose within the family between the children of his first and second wives.

The matter even escalated to the High Court.

Before his passing, Muthappa Rai drafted a will distributing his assets among his two children, his brother's son, his second wife, and some of his employees.

Relatives informed authorities that several individuals harbor grudges against Muthappa Rai's family, and property disputes continue to exist.

Ricky resides at the Bidadi farmhouse and also owns a bungalow in the upscale Sadashivanagar area of Bengaluru.

Investigators are examining the timing and purpose of Ricky's return to Bengaluru, probing if he came to resolve any of the ongoing disputes.

Interestingly, the attackers targeted the driver's seat, likely assuming that Ricky was driving, as he often does.