NIA arrests 25th accused in Praveen Nettaru murder case, held in Kochi
Synopsis
The NIA has arrested its 25th accused in the 2022 killing of Karnataka BJP leader Praveen Nettaru — nabbing Ummar Farook M.R. from Kochi after he had been absconding with a Red Corner Notice against him. The arrest reveals the alleged conspiracy extended to witness elimination, not just the murder itself. Two accused still remain at large.
Key Takeaways
The NIA arrested Ummar Farook M.R. from Kochi, Kerala on Wednesday, 6 August in the Praveen Nettaru murder case .
Total arrests in the case now stand at 25 ; two accused remain absconding.
Ummar Farook had a Red Corner Notice (RCN) , a non-bailable warrant , and a ₹4 lakh reward against him.
He is accused of providing a motorcycle for target reconnaissance in Bellare village and allegedly participating in an attempt to eliminate a protected witness.
The NIA's probe links the killing to a conspiracy allegedly orchestrated by cadres of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) .
Praveen Nettaru , a BJP leader from Dakshina Kannada , was murdered on 26 July 2022 .
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Ummar Farook M.R., another key absconding accused in the 2022 murder of Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Praveen Nettaru, taking the total number of arrests in the case to 25. The arrest was made on Wednesday from Kochi, Kerala, following a targeted operation based on credible intelligence inputs.
Who Was Arrested and Why
Ummar Farook M.R. had been absconding and was wanted in connection with the case, with both a Red Corner Notice (RCN) and a non-bailable warrant issued against him. The NIA had also announced a reward of ₹4 lakh for information leading to his arrest.
The agency had previously chargesheeted Ummar Farook under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Investigators allege he attended a conspiracy meeting at the office of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) in Sullia town, alongside other accused persons.
Role in the Conspiracy
According to the investigation, Ummar Farook had allegedly agreed to provide his motorcycle to a co-accused for identifying potential targets and conducting reconnaissance in Bellare village prior to the murder. He is also accused of participating in an attempt to eliminate a protected witness in the case — a detail that underscores the alleged depth of the conspiracy.
Recent Arrests in the Case
This latest arrest follows the NIA's apprehension in July 2025 of two other absconding accused — Abdul Nasir P., alias Nasir, and Naushad — from Kochi, Kerala and Hosur, Tamil Nadu, respectively. Those arrests were made in a coordinated operation based on information received from the Andhra Pradesh Police.
Background: The Praveen Nettaru Murder
Praveen Nettaru, a local BJP leader from Dakshina Kannada district, was killed on 26 July 2022, triggering widespread outrage across Karnataka and prompting the NIA to take over the investigation. The agency's probe has since revealed that the killing was allegedly part of a larger criminal conspiracy orchestrated by cadres of the banned PFI.
What Comes Next
Two accused in the case still remain absconding. The NIA has stated that efforts are continuing to trace and arrest the remaining fugitives. With 25 arrests now made, the agency appears to be closing in on completing the investigation, though the pursuit of the final two accused will be closely watched.
Point of View
The NIA has now arrested 25 individuals — a tally that reflects both the alleged scale of the conspiracy and the agency's sustained pursuit of absconding accused across state lines. Yet the case also raises a pointed question: with two accused still at large and a protected witness reportedly targeted, how robust is the witness-protection apparatus in high-profile UAPA cases? The PFI angle has been central to the NIA's narrative from the start, but the trial's outcome — not the arrest count — will ultimately test the strength of that case.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ummar Farook M.R. and why was he arrested?
Ummar Farook M.R. is an accused in the 2022 murder of Karnataka BJP leader Praveen Nettaru. He was arrested by the NIA from Kochi, Kerala on 6 August 2025 after being absconding; he had a Red Corner Notice and a non-bailable warrant against him, and the NIA had announced a ₹4 lakh reward for information leading to his capture.
How many people have been arrested in the Praveen Nettaru murder case so far?
With the arrest of Ummar Farook M.R., the total number of arrests in the Praveen Nettaru murder case has reached 25. Two accused still remain absconding, and the NIA says efforts to trace them are ongoing.
What was Praveen Nettaru's murder about?
Praveen Nettaru, a local BJP leader from Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka, was killed on 26 July 2022. The NIA's investigation has alleged that the murder was part of a larger criminal conspiracy orchestrated by cadres of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI).
What role did Ummar Farook allegedly play in the conspiracy?
According to the NIA's investigation, Ummar Farook allegedly attended a conspiracy meeting at a banned PFI office in Sullia town, agreed to provide his motorcycle for target reconnaissance in Bellare village, and is accused of participating in an attempt to eliminate a protected witness in the case.
What laws has Ummar Farook been chargesheeted under?
The NIA has chargesheeted Ummar Farook under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), in connection with the conspiracy behind Praveen Nettaru's murder.
