Udupi: The Udupi district court has sent underworld don Bannanje Raja to 9 days of police custody on Saturday in connection with a case of attempting to murder a staff of Airody jewellery shop.
In 2011, two bike borne men shot at Padmanabha, a staff of Airody jewellers in Udupi and escaped. Bannanje Raja had called media and claimed that the attackers were his aides.
Udupi police had written to the district court to grant police custody to investigate the case. As per the police request Udupi District and Sessions Court Senior Civil Judge Nagajyoti handed over Raja to police custody. Udupi circle inspector Shrikanth is investigating the case.
Earlier Raja was in Udupi police custody for 15 days in connection with the S R Nayak murder case. He was produced in Belagavi court and was sent to jail.
Udupi police had sought for body warrant of Raja at Belagavi court and was brought to the district and produced before the court.
Police collect info on links with Raja’s aides
Udupi SP Annamalai investigated the high profile S R Nayak murder case. “Two aides of Raja who are the key accused in the case supplied armed weapons to him. What is their link to Raja? Police are collecting important information and investigating calls made by Raja to media after the murder”, said Annamalai.
Raja wanted in 3 more cases
Karnataka’s mafia don Bannanje Raja is wanted in a total of 4 cases in the district. He is in police custody in connection with one case. He is wanted in 91, 92 and 96 cases and will be taken to custody for investigation.
He was brought to the city recently from Morocco for trial in about 50 criminal cases, including extortion. Raja, alias Rajendra, who hails from Malpe in Udupi was arrested by Interpol and Morocco police on February 12 on a tip off by Indian sleuths, as a red corner notice was served on him in 2009 by the state to all countries through the union home ministry.
