Karnataka BJP activist murder case: NIA conducts raids, 3 arrested

Bengaluru, Nov 5 (IANS) The National Investigation Agency (NIA), on Saturday, conducted raids on Popular Front of India (PFI) leaders' residences in Mysuru, Hubballi and Dakshina Kannada districts in connection with the killing of BJP activist Praveen Kumar Nettare.

Sources confirmed that three persons have been arrested. Residence of the District General Secretary of PFI Mohammad Suleiman located at Mandi Mohalla extension in Mysuru was also raided.

Shafi Bellare, Iqbal Bellare and Ibrahim Shah from Sullia have been taken into custody and arrested by the NAI, they said. Iqbal Bellare is the gram panchayat member of Bellare village, while Shafi Bellare is the State Secretary for the Socialist Democratic Party of India (SDPI).

The NIA officials said raids are being carried out in Sullia, Uppinangady, Mysuru and Hubballi.

As per the sources, the NIA team recently announced a cash reward in lakhs for clues on the four accused persons who have disappeared.

On July 26, bike-borne miscreants attacked BJP activist Praveen in Bellare town of Dakshina Kannada district in front of his chicken shop and hacked him to death.

Following the murder, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had cancelled celebration of his one year term in office. He visited Praveen's family and issued a cheque for Rs 25 lakh as compensation from the government. The party had given Rs 25 lakh separately.

The incident triggered a chain of protests from BJP workers all over Karnataka against the ruling BJP.

The agitators had laid siege to Home Minister Araga Jnanendra's residence causing severe embarrassment to the ruling establishment. The probe had revealed that he was targetted for launching a campaign against halal cut meat.