Mangaluru: Bantwal Rural Police have issued a notice to RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat seeking his statement in connection with the 2025 murder of Abdul Rahman, adding a new development to the case.
According to Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Dr Arun Kumar, Bhat’s statement is yet to be recorded in Bantwal Rural Police Station Crime No. 54/2025. He said a witness notice was issued to obtain the statement and that the charge sheet would be submitted before the court after the statement is recorded.
Notice triggers reaction from VHP
The police notice has drawn strong objections from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal.
VHP leader Sharan Pumpwell alleged that the action was politically motivated and claimed that Hindu organisations were being targeted by the Congress government. These are allegations made by the VHP and have not been independently established.
Pumpwell questioned the need to seek Bhat’s statement at this stage and alleged that there was an attempt to implicate him in the murder case. He also warned that Hindu organisations would launch protests if Bhat was implicated.
The VHP has announced a protest in connection with the notice and other issues concerning the case.
Police say statement is pending
The police position, as stated by the Dakshina Kannada SP, is that Bhat’s statement remains to be recorded and that the notice was issued for that purpose. Police have not publicly stated that Bhat has been named as an accused in the murder case.
Reports on the notice say Bhat was asked to appear before the investigating officer at his residence in Kalladka on September 26.
A later report said Bhat sought about a month’s time to respond to the notice, citing a scheduled programme.
VHP raises KCOCA and Goonda Act issues
Pumpwell also referred to the action taken against some accused in the case under the Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act (KCOCA) and the Goonda Act.
The VHP has questioned the continuation of detention-related proceedings after a court granted bail in the KCOCA proceedings to some accused. The organisation has alleged that the subsequent use of the Goonda Act amounted to pressure on Hindu activists.
The claims regarding political motivation and alleged pressure on the police remain allegations by the VHP. The police have described the notice to Bhat as part of the process of recording his statement before completing the investigation and filing the charge sheet.
Abdul Rahman murder case
The case concerns the murder of Abdul Rahman in Bantwal taluk in May 2025. The investigation has involved several accused and has continued through proceedings under different criminal laws.
The latest notice has brought renewed attention to the case, with the police maintaining that Bhat’s statement is required before the investigation is completed, while the VHP and Bajrang Dal have opposed the move and warned of protests.