Son of late underworld Don Muthappa Rai shot at by unknown assailants in Karnataka

Ramanagara (Karnataka), Apr 19 (PTI) The son of late underworld don N Muthappa Rai was allegedly shot at by unidentified assailants near his residence in Bidadi here, police said on Saturday.

Ricky Rai is currently undergoing treatment at Manipal hospital in Bengaluru, they said.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said he was aware of the incident and sought details from the police.

"I was told that the incident happened at 1:30 or 2 am. I have asked for details. He (Ricky) has been admitted to Manipal Hospital and I'm told he is out of danger. Police have begun the investigation at the spot by deploying extra force," he told media.

The incident occurred between 1 am to 1.30 am (late Friday night) near his residence when he was travelling from Bidadi to Bengaluru in his car.

According to police, some unidentified people allegedly opened three rounds of fire and a bullet struck the vehicle. He was seated in the rear along with his gunman when the bullet pierced through the driver's seat, injuring both the driver and Rai.

Citing preliminary inquiry, a senior police officer said Ricky, who usually drives himself, sustained injuries to his nose and arms. Both the driver and the Ricky are stated to be out of danger.

Initially, Ricky was taken to a private hospital in Bidadi and later referred to Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru for advanced treatment.

Based on the complaint of his driver, a case has been registered against Muthappa Rai's second wife Anuradha, entrepreneur Rakesh Malli (once a close associate of Muthappa) and Niketan trust, the senior police officer said.

Addressing reporters here, Ramanagara Superintendent of Police, R Srinivas Gowda said, "We have registered an FIR and have continued the investigation. The injured is undergoing treatment at a private hospital, his statement has been collected. We are confident that we will complete the further investigation as soon as possible."

As per the information available so far, a gun was used, he said adding investigation is on. Also, the police will investigate and gather more information by contacting people based on the statement of the victim.

"As he (Ricky) is under treatment, we will try to get more information from him once he is discharged," he said.

According to the SP, the victim was staying abroad, and had come to attend the court matters related to a private complaint.

"We will investigate this," he said.

Asked whether there was any counter-firing from the victims' side, the official said, "We have not found any such thing as of now."

Regarding the complaint and FIR, he said the victim has raised suspicion regarding those behind civil disputes that are registered against him.

"We need to gather more information in this regard...we have to find out the reason from the investigation," he said.

To a question on any underworld links to the incident, the SP replied no such thing has been found as of now.

He clarified that no one has been taken into custody, and all those with the victim and his friends are being interrogated.

CCTV cameras installed in and around the vicinity of the area are being scanned to identify the suspects and ascertain the sequence of events that unfolded, police said.

Teams have been formed and efforts are being made to nab the suspects involved in the shootout, they added.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)