Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Aug 3: Bannanje Raja, a notorious underworld fugitive, who had evaded all efforts of the agencies from the country to nab him so far, will be in the custody of the city police in a few days time as per the current plans. The city police, who put in arduous efforts to lay hands on this prized catch, are preparing to leave for Morocco in Africa for this purpose.

Bannanje Raja had left India in 1996, and since then made Dubai his home, from where he used to direct criminal operations in India. Son of a couple, both of whom were teachers, and native of Baputhota in Malpe, and born as Rajendra Kumar, he was known to be a rowdy from the then 'Malpe Gang' and took part in several brawls during his college days. His name entered the criminal world with the murder of Kokkarne Kushala Shetty in 1991. After shifting base to Bengaluru, getting arrested for possession of arms and ammunition, and then flying to Dubai, Bannaje reportedly directed a number of extortion, murder threats, murders etc in India. As per records, he faces 18 cases as of now.

Efforts of Research and Analysis Wing and Interpol police have cleared all hurdles put forth by the fugitive to evade arrest. A team of eight police officials from the city, led by additional police commissioner, Pratap Reddy, is leaving to bring Bannanje Raja to book.

It is gathered that Bannanje, who was caught in Morocco on February 10 this year for possessing fake passport, had made efforts to get back to Dubai instead of being tried for offences in India. An agreement to hand over Raja to India was signed on Friday. Policemen of Mumbai, Mangaluru and Udupi in addition to the city police, are waiting to try him for several offences.