Mangaluru: The Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act (KCOCA) has been invoked against all accused in the Abdul Rehman murder case registered under Bantwal Rural Police Station limits, while the Goonda Act has additionally been imposed on six accused, including rowdy-sheeter Bharath Kumdelu.
According to Dakshina Kannada police, the Goonda Act has been invoked against Bharath Kumdelu (38), Shivaprasad (33), Pradeep (34), Abhin Rai (32), Tejaksha (24) and Ranjith (35). District Superintendent of Police Dr Arun K confirmed the action.
Goonda Act follows KCOCA bail
The development comes after a special court dealing with KCOCA cases in Mysuru granted bail to eight accused in the case, including Bharath Kumdelu, according to reports.
The subsequent invocation of the Goonda Act against six of them means the six accused will remain in custody despite the bail granted under the KCOCA proceedings. Reports said the police took the additional legal measure after the bail orders.
The six named by police are Bharath Kumdelu, Shivaprasad, Pradeep, Abhin Rai, Tejaksha and Ranjith.
Abdul Rehman killed in May 2025
The case relates to the killing of Abdul Rehman on May 27, 2025, within the Bantwal Rural Police Station limits. According to the investigation, Abdul Rehman and his colleague Kalandar Shafi were attacked by a motorcycle-borne group while they were unloading sand at Irakodi in Kurniyal village.
Abdul Rehman was killed in the attack, while Kalandar Shafi was injured. The Karnataka High Court, in an August 2026 order concerning other accused in the case, recorded that the prosecution alleged the attack took place against the backdrop of the earlier murder of Suhas Shetty.
Police subsequently arrested several accused and invoked KCOCA during the investigation. An earlier report from October 2025 said 13 persons had been arrested, while supplementary chargesheets were later filed in the case.
Police intensify preventive measures
The invocation of the Goonda Act against six accused represents an additional legal measure following the KCOCA proceedings.
The case had generated significant attention in Dakshina Kannada amid concerns over possible communal tension following the murders of Abdul Rehman and Suhas Shetty. Police had earlier described the investigation as involving an organised criminal conspiracy.
The latest action has also triggered reactions from different groups. Hindu organisation leader Sharan Pumpwell has publicly criticised the invocation of the Goonda Act, alleging that the Congress government is targeting Hindus. That allegation is his political claim and has not been independently established in the police material cited above.
Meanwhile, the police have maintained that the action against the six accused has been taken under the applicable law. The case and related legal proceedings remain ongoing.