HASSAN: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested the prime accused in the case related to the 2022 murder of Karnataka BJP Yuva Morcha member Praveen Nettaru. The accused, Mustafa Paichar was arrested by NIA officials from Anemahal in Sakleshpur taluk.
Along with Mustafa Paichar, who hails from Sullia, the NIA has also arrested Ilyas of Somwarpet in Kodagu district and Siraj, who had given them shelter. Siraj had employed both Mustafa and Ilyas.
Pravaeen Nettaru was hacked to death by two bike-borne attackers in Bellare village of Sullia taluk in Dakshina Kannada district on June 22, 2022, allegedly by Popular Front of India (PFI) ‘killer squads’ or ‘service teams’. The NIA took over case in August 2022.
A total of 21 people, including absconders, have so far been chargesheeted by the NIA under various sections of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Indian Penal Code and Arms Act. As per the NIA, the PFI has been indulging in such targeted ‘hate killings’ with the aim of driving a communal wedge and spreading communal hatred with its ultimate objective of establishing an Islamic Rule in India by 2047.
In September 2022, the Central government declared PFI as ‘unlawful association’ and temporarily banned the organisation for five years under the UAPA Act.