Synopsis
The NIA has charged four additional suspects in the murder case of BJP member Praveen Nettaru. Three of the accused are currently absconding, and the investigation continues as the agency seeks to locate them.Key Takeaways
- Four more individuals charged in Nettaru's murder.
- Three of them are absconders.
- Investigation reveals connections to PFI.
- NIA continues efforts to apprehend fugitives.
- Kodaje Mohammed Sherif arrested in December.
New Delhi, April 15 (NationPress) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed charges against four additional suspects in connection with the 2022 murder of Praveen Nettaru, a member of the BJP Yuva Morcha from Karnataka. Notably, three of these suspects are currently evading arrest and are considered absconders.
Nettaru was tragically killed on July 26, 2022, in Bellare village, located in Sullia Taluk, within the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka. The assassination was allegedly planned and executed by members and affiliates of the banned organization Popular Front of India (PFI).
In its latest supplementary chargesheet, the NIA has formally charged Abdul Nasir, Naushad, Abdul Rahaman, and Ateeq Ahmed under applicable sections of the IPC and the UA (P) Act, 1967. This brings the total number of individuals charged in this case to 27, which includes six absconders.
Among the four individuals charged on Tuesday, three are still on the run: Abdul Nasir, Naushad, and Abdul Rahaman.
According to NIA findings, this trio provided refuge to the three primary attackers in the districts of Mysore and Chamarajanagara in Karnataka and in Erode district of Tamil Nadu. Moreover, Abdul Nasir and Abdul Rahaman were involved in hiding the accused Thufail in Bengaluru.
Following the deadly attack on Nettaru, the accused Ateeq and the deceased Kalandar conspired to harbor Mustafa Paichar in Chennai during 2022-2023. Additionally, Abdul Rahaman fled abroad and assisted another accused, Riyaz, in providing refuge to Mustafa Paichar later on in 2024.
The NIA took over the investigation from state authorities and is actively seeking to apprehend the absconding suspects.
Last December, the NIA arrested Kodaje Mohammed Sherif, a fugitive linked to the Popular Front of India, in connection with Nettaru's murder. He was apprehended upon his arrival from Bahrain at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, after a lookout circular was issued against him due to evidence of his involvement in the crime.
