Karnataka: NIA chargesheets two more in Praveen Nettaru murder case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against two members of the Popular Front of India (PFI) in connection with the Praveen Nettaru murder that took place in Karnataka.

Nettar a BJP Yuva Morcha member was murdered by members of the PFI last year.

One of the two accused persons named in the chargesheet, identified as Thufail M H had been absconding at the time the investigations began. He was tracked down and arrested by a team of the NIA in Bengaluru later on.

The NIA said that both accused, Thufail and Mohammad Jabir have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. In all 21 persons have been charged in this case, the NIA said.

The murder took place on July 26 2022 in the Belare village of Sullia Taluk, Dakshina Kannada district. The murder had sent shock waves across the state, the NIA noted. Nettaru had been killed with sharp weapons, as part of the PFI's agenda to strike terror among the members of one community. The murder was also aimed at creating communal hatred and unrest in the society. The NIA noted that the main goal of the PFI was to establish Islamic rule in India by 2047.

The first chargesheet in the case was filed by the NIA on January 20 2023. In that chargesheet the agency had stated that the PFI had formed secret hit squads to carry out the killing of its perceived enemies.

The NIA said that Thufail, a resident of Kodagu in Karnataka was in charge of the PFI's hit squads and also a master trainer. He would regularly impart advanced training, including arms training to the PFI's cadres at the Freedom Community Hall in the Dakshina Kannada district. He had also harboured the three assailants of Nettaru in Kodagu and Mysuru districts and also in Erode, Tamil Nadu, the probe by the NIA found.

Jabir, the NIA said was the district president of the PFI in Puttur. He had taken part in the conspiracy meetings, where it was decided to kill the BJP leader, the chargesheet also says. Jabir had also made provocative speeches, the NIA said.