In a case involving the murder of BJP Yuva Morcha member Praveen Nettaru by members of the outlawed Popular Front of India in Karnataka last year, the National Investigation Agency has searched the homes of three evading suspects, an official said on Wednesday.
According to an NIA spokeswoman, three places in two districts of Karnataka were examined as part of the federal agency’s search for the fugitives.
The official said that during the searches of Abdul Nasir, Abdul Rahaman, and Naushad’s homes in Kodagu district and Dakshina Kannada district, several electronic devices and papers were found.
“All three are accused of harboring Nettaru’s primary attackers in different hideouts around Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. In addition to the three, five additional suspects in the investigation, which the NIA took over in August 2022, are still at large, the spokeswoman added.
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Indian Penal Code, and the Arms Act have all been used by the NIA to file chargesheets against a total of 21 individuals, including the fugitives.
On July 26, 2022, in the Bellare hamlet of Sullia Taluk in the Dakshina Kannada region, Nettaru was reportedly murdered by PFI “Killer Squads” or “Service Teams.”
The statement said that PFI has been engaging in such targeted hate crimes to sow division and foster animosity across communities in order to further its ultimate goal of establishing Islamic rule in India by 2047.
The NIA said that attempts are still being made to find the missing accused.