Karnataka BJP Youth Leader Murder Case To Be Handed Over to NIA: CM Bommai

Two persons – Zakir and Shafique – were arrested in connection with Praveen Nettaru's murder on Thursday.

Two days after a youth leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Praveen Nettaru was killed in Karnataka, two persons – Zakir and Shafique – were arrested in connection with the murder on Thursday, 28 July.

(Image: Chetan Bhakuni/The Quint) 

Three days after a youth leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Praveen Nettaru, was killed in Karnataka, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announced on Friday, 29 July, that the murder case will be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Two persons – Zakir and Shafique – were arrested in connection with the murder on Thursday.

"For us, the life of every person is important. We treat everyone equally," Bommai said.

Speaking to mediapersons, Bommai said, "I obtained information about one more murder in Mangaluru after my return to Bengaluru from Mangaluru. I have instructed ADGP (Law and Order) to camp there and take appropriate measures."

Stringent action would be taken in all three murder cases, he added.

Replying to a question on the action he intends to take to control such incidents in future, Bommai said, "All measures within the ambit of the laws will be taken. It could be UP model in Karnataka model."

Bommai further told reporters:

"I have spoken to the DG and IG and we are suspecting the murder of Praveen Nettaru to be an organised one. It also involves two states. I have asked the home department to compile a report and immediately write to the NIA to take over the investigation. This is being done as the crime likely involves people from two different states."

Bommai also announced on Friday that special police measures will be used in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

"We have decided to take special police measures in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts," CM Bommai said.

Speaking to media persons in Bengaluru he said, a high level meeting would be held on Friday with top police officials with regard to taking some strong measures in the coastal region.

Bommai Meets Kin of Killed BJP Youth Leader 

CM Bommai met with the family of the murdered BJP youth leader in Bellare on Thursday evening.

The CM also granted a Rs 25 lakh compensation to Praveen’s family from the state government, and had expressed that there is a dire need for a separate NIA probe into the incident.

Earlier on Friday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Yuva Morcha president and Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya visited the family of Praveen Nettaru in Bellare.

Thousands at Funeral of Fazil, Youth Killed in Surathkal, Amid Curfew

Meanwhile, on Friday, thousands of people took part in the funeral procession of a Muslim man who was stabbed to death on the outskirts of Mangaluru on Thursday, 28 July.

The deceased, identified as 23-year-old Mohammed Fazil, who was a resident of Mangalpete, was murdered by a group of masked assailants outside a clothing store. Thirteen people have been detained in connection with the case so far.

Fazil's murder came two days after Nettaru was killed in the neighbouring town of Sullia.

Scores of people were seen raising slogans and chanting in support of the deceased youth during his funeral.

The murders have given rise to communal tensions in the coastal state.

The first murder was of an 18-year-old Muslim man, identified as B Masood, who was grievously injured following an assault by eight people at Kalanja village in Sullia taluk on 20 July, and succumbed at the hospital in Mangaluru on 21 July.

Masood had reportedly picked up a quarrel with one Sudhir on 19 July and had allegedly assaulted the latter.

He was then called for a settlement of the issue near a shop in the village, where Sudhir and seven others assaulted Masood.