In a significant development, the Karnataka High Court has extended interim protection to Anuradha Muthappa Rai, widow of the late don-turned-philanthropist Muthappa Rai, in connection with the attempted murder of his son, Ricky Rai.
Justice Hemant Chandangoudar ordered that no coercive action be taken against Anuradha until June 9, provided she fully cooperates with the investigation. The court emphasized that the Bidadi police must follow due legal process and refrain from summoning her arbitrarily.
Anuradha had moved the court challenging the FIR registered in Ramanagara district, stating she was unfairly named without evidence. In her plea, she noted that she had traveled to Zurich on April 14 to visit her daughter, and only learned of the April 18–19 shooting incident involving Ricky’s car through the media.
Anuradha claimed that the property dispute with Muthappa Rai’s sons had already been amicably resolved by court decree, and alleged that the current accusations were a form of harassment.
Meanwhile, police questioning continues. Rakesh Malli, the primary accused in the attack, appeared for interrogation, while another suspect, Maanappa Vittal—a former gunman for both Muthappa and Ricky—was picked up after CCTV footage showed suspicious activity. Vittal reportedly spoke to Ricky shortly before the attack and later returned to the scene. He was hospitalized due to health issues during questioning.
Investigators have seized 11 firearms and are probing a possible insider angle in the case.
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