Ricky Rai, Son of Notorious Figure Muthappa Rai, Targeted in Shooting Incident in Karnataka

Bengaluru, April 19 (NationPress) Ricky Rai, the son of the deceased underworld figure Muthappa Rai, faced a shooting incident carried out by unknown attackers outside his farmhouse situated in Bidadi, located on the outskirts of Bengaluru.

He has been admitted to Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru, where sources report he narrowly escaped a life-threatening situation.

The Bidadi Police have officially filed an FIR against four suspects, including Anuradha, the second wife of Muthappa Rai.

The complaint was lodged by Basavaraj, Ricky's driver.

As per police accounts, the shots were fired while Ricky was a passenger in his vehicle. Basavaraj was behind the wheel, and Ricky reportedly managed to duck just in time, avoiding serious harm.

Sources indicate that he suffered injuries to his nose and hand.

Ricky was critically injured in the incident, initially taken to a private medical facility in Bidadi before being moved to Bengaluru for advanced care.

Initial investigations suggest two assassination attempts were made on Ricky's life. The first shooting incident occurred around 11 p.m. on Friday. Following the sound of gunfire, Basavaraj exited the vehicle to investigate. Subsequently, as they were en route to Bengaluru around 12:50 a.m., the second attack transpired.

Authorities have recovered two bullets from various locations near the farmhouse.

An FIR has been registered against Rakesh Malli, Anuradha, Nitesh Shetty, and Vaidyanathan under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 109, 3(5) and the Arms Act. The police are currently questioning Basavaraj, who reported hearing a loud gunshot but did not witness any further details.

The attack reportedly occurred just as Ricky left his farmhouse premises. Authorities suspect ties to organized crime and are exploring the possibility that the attack may relate to a real estate conflict.

Another angle being investigated is whether individuals harboring animosity toward the late Muthappa Rai orchestrated the shooting. Police are gathering statements from family members and staff as part of the inquiry.

Initial findings indicate that after Muthappa Rai's passing, family disputes emerged between the offspring of his first and second marriages, escalating to the High Court. Before his death, Muthappa Rai created a will distributing his assets among his two children, his brother's son, his second wife, and some of his employees.

Family members have informed the police that numerous individuals hold grudges against the Rai family, and property disputes remain unresolved.

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

Ricky had separated from his first wife while Muthappa Rai was still alive. His second wife, a foreign national, currently resides abroad with their child. Authorities have also discovered that Ricky has spent a considerable amount of time outside the country.

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

Interestingly, the assailants targeted the driver's seat, likely under the assumption that Ricky was driving, as he frequently does.

Ramanagara SP Srinivas Gowda visited the site of the crime, and the investigation is currently ongoing.