The National Investigation Agency (NIA)  arrested the key accused in connection with the killing of BJP Yuva Morcha member Praveen Nettaru. Abdul Rahaman, who had been absconding for the last two years, was taken into custody by the NIA team at the Kannur International Airport on his arrival from Qatar. 

The NIA stated that a major breakthrough took place in the ongoing probe into the targeted killing of BJP Yuva Morcha member Praveen Nettaru by cadres of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI).

NIA had arrested accused Ateeq Ahmed

In January this year, the NIA had arrested accused Ateeq Ahmed, a key accused in the case.

Under the PFI leadership’s guidance, the NIA said, Ateeq had harboured and assisted Mustafa Paichar, identified as the chief conspirator in the case. Mustafa had planned and executed the murder, carried out as part of the PFI agenda to trigger fear and communal unrest among the people.

‘Mustafa had absconded’

“After the attack, Mustafa had absconded and Ateeq had facilitated his movement, including transporting him to Chennai. He had helped Mustafa evade law enforcement till the latter’s arrest in May 2024,” said the NIA.

NIA, which had taken over the case from the local police in August 2022, had found during the investigation that PFI had formed secret teams, referred to as “PFI Service Teams” and trained in arms and surveillance, to carry out targeted killings such as that of Nettaru.

BJP leader Praveen Nettaru was killed in Bellare village of Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka.