NIA detains major suspect in BJP worker murder in Karnataka
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Synopsis
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has detained a significant suspect, Ateeq Ahmed, in the murder case of BJP worker Praveen Kumar Nettaru from Karnataka. This development follows a series of violent events linked to the incident, which has drawn considerable attention and sparked discussions about political affiliations and communal tensions in the region.
Key Takeaways
- Ateeq Ahmed is the 21st suspect arrested in the murder case.
- Praveen Kumar Nettaru was murdered amid rising communal tensions.
- The NIA is investigating the PFI's involvement in targeted killings.
- The agency has identified six remaining suspects in the case.
- Political implications have arisen from the case, including election nominations.
New Delhi, Jan 21 (NationPress) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has apprehended a significant suspect in the shocking murder case of Praveen Kumar Nettaru, as confirmed in an official statement on Tuesday.
Praveen Kumar Nettaru was affiliated with the BJP and hailed from Karnataka’s Mangaluru district, known for its communal sensitivities. He was brutally attacked during the peak of the hijab crisis, with the incident occurring in Bellare near Sullia in the Dakshina Kannada district. This event sparked a wave of retaliatory killings and numerous stabbing episodes throughout the state.
The NIA's announcement indicated, “Ateeq Ahmed is the 21st suspect to be detained in connection with the heinous murder of Nettaru in Bellare, Dakshina Kannada District, Karnataka, orchestrated by members of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) in July 2022.”
Ateeq, acting under the directives of PFI leadership, provided shelter and support to Mustafa Paichar, recognized as the primary conspirator. Mustafa planned and executed the murder as part of the PFI's agenda to instill fear and incite communal discord.
Following the attack, Mustafa fled, and Ateeq helped him escape, including arranging his transport to Chennai. He assisted Mustafa in evading capture until his arrest in May 2024.
The NIA, which took over the investigation from local authorities in August 2022, discovered that the PFI had established clandestine teams, known as “PFI Service Teams,” which were trained in arms and surveillance for executing targeted killings like that of Nettaru.
The agency continues its investigation to locate the remaining six suspects, for whom rewards have been announced, as stated in the release.
The inquiry also indicated that the assailants targeted Praveen to retaliate for the death of a Muslim youth involved in a road rage incident.
As part of the investigation into Praveen Kumar Nettaru's murder case, the NIA submitted a charge sheet against 20 suspects to the NIA Special Court in Bengaluru. This charge sheet consisted of 1,500 pages, including testimonies from 240 witnesses.
The announcement by the Socialist Democratic Party of India (SDPI) to nominate Shafi Bellare, an accused in Nettaru's murder case, for assembly elections in Karnataka has sparked considerable debate. He contested while incarcerated but failed to secure his deposit in the elections.
