New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested another key absconding accused in the 2022 murder case of BJP leader Praveen Nettaru, taking the total number of arrests in the high-profile case to 25. The accused was apprehended during a targeted operation in Kochi, Kerala, based on specific intelligence inputs.
Accused arrested in Kochi
The arrested accused has been identified as Ummar Farook M R, who had been absconding since the investigation into the murder of Praveen Nettaru.
According to the NIA, Farook was arrested in Kochi on Wednesday after investigators tracked his movements through a coordinated intelligence-led operation.
The agency stated that a Red Corner Notice (RCN) and a non-bailable warrant had already been issued against him. A reward of Rs 4 lakh had also been announced for information leading to his arrest.
With Farook’s arrest, the total number of accused taken into custody in the case has risen to 25.
Chargesheeted for conspiracy
The NIA had previously chargesheeted Farook under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for his alleged role in the conspiracy behind Nettaru’s murder.
Investigators said Farook allegedly attended a conspiracy meeting at the office of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) in Sullia along with other accused before the murder.
According to the agency, he had agreed to provide his motorcycle to a co-accused for identifying potential targets and carrying out reconnaissance in Bellare village ahead of the attack.
Alleged role in witness intimidation
The NIA has further alleged that Farook participated, along with other accused, in an attempt to eliminate a protected witness connected to the case.
Officials said the allegation forms part of the broader conspiracy uncovered during the investigation into the murder and the activities of the accused persons linked to the case.
Earlier arrests
The latest arrest comes weeks after the NIA arrested two other absconding accused in July this year.
The agency had apprehended Abdul Nasir P alias Nasir from Kochi in Kerala and Naushad from Hosur in Tamil Nadu during a coordinated operation based on information received from the Andhra Pradesh Police.
The NIA has been pursuing several accused who allegedly went into hiding after the murder and has continued operations across multiple states to trace them.
Murder that sparked statewide outrage
Praveen Nettaru, a BJP leader from Dakshina Kannada district, was hacked to death on July 26, 2022, in Bellare village.
The murder triggered widespread outrage across Karnataka and prompted the Union Government to hand over the investigation to the National Investigation Agency.
According to the NIA, the investigation has revealed that the killing was part of a larger criminal conspiracy allegedly orchestrated by cadres of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI).
Two accused still absconding
The NIA said that despite the latest arrest, two accused remain absconding in the case.
Officials added that efforts are continuing to trace and apprehend the remaining accused and complete the investigation. The agency reiterated its commitment to bringing all those involved in the conspiracy before the law.