Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (SS)

Mangaluru, Jun 28: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday conducted raids at residences of those linked to the banned Islamist outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) in Dakshina Kannada (DK) and Kodagu districts of Karnataka state. The raids were held in connection with the alleged murder of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Yuva Morcha leader Praveen Nettaru.

Raids were held at six locations simultaneously in the two districts by the NIA sleuths. The officials seized electronic devices and other documents during the raids.

Five of the accused in the murder case are said to be absconding and the NIA sleuths have intensified their investigation into the case.

The NIA sleuths pasted 'wanted notice' on the homes of the accused in their visit.

Mohammed alias Mustafa Paichar, Aboo Bakkar Siddiq of Ballari, Umar Farooq of Kallumuttlu (Sullia), Naushad and Masood Agnadi are on the NIA radar who are absconding. Photographs of the 'wanted' accused have been pasted at public places. The NIA sleuths are also examining whether the absconding accused in the case are in touch with their families. The raids were conducted in Beltangady, Bellare and Sullia in Dakshina Kannada district and in Kodagu.

The NIA sleuths visited driver Naushad's residence in Padangadi village's Poyyagudde of Beltangady taluk and enquired about the accused with the household members. Naushad has been accused of sheltering the accused in Erode (Tamil Nadu).

Nettaru, a leader of the BJP’s Yuva Morcha, was allegedly murdered by bike-borne assailants in July 2022 in Dakshina Kannada. Following an uproar by the BJP cadre, the case was handed over to the NIA.

Out of 21 accused in the case, NIA sleuths have already arrested 16 of them.