In a major breakthrough in the Praveen Nettaru murder case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday arrested Abdul Rahaman, a key accused who had been on the run for over two years. Rahaman, who carried a bounty of Rs 4 lakh, was apprehended at Kerala’s Kannur International Airport upon arrival from Qatar. Nettaru, a young BJP Yuva Morcha leader, was brutally hacked to death on July 26, 2022, by cadres of the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI). The murder shocked the nation and led to widespread outrage across Karnataka and the country. The NIA had taken over the investigation from the Karnataka Police in August 2022 and has been relentlessly pursuing all those involved in the planned political assassination.
PFI’s Role and the NIA’s Findings
According to the NIA’s statement, Abdul Rahaman had played a critical role in the larger conspiracy behind the killing. “Rahaman had, on directions from the PFI leadership, voluntarily harboured the main assailants and others involved in the case,” the agency said. After the primary attackers were arrested, Rahaman managed to flee to Qatar and had remained elusive until his arrest on July 5, 2025.
Earlier in April, the NIA had charge-sheeted Rahaman and three other accused, taking the total number of charge-sheeted individuals in the case to 28. The agency had also declared rewards for six absconders, including Rahaman, whose capture is expected to lead to more breakthroughs in the ongoing probe. The NIA further stated that Nettaru’s killing was not an isolated act of violence but part of a “larger conspiracy aimed at striking terror among the people and unleashing communal hatred and unrest in the society.”
The investigation also revealed that the PFI had formed secretive groups called “Service Teams” or “Killer Squads” whose task was to carry out targeted killings of individuals associated with specific ideologies. The PFI’s goal, according to the NIA, was to radicalise youth, destabilise peace, and spread communal tension under the guise of social and political activism.
Targeted Killings of BJP Workers: A Pattern Emerges
The murder of Praveen Nettaru is part of a disturbing trend of targeted killings of BJP and Hindu nationalist leaders by radical Islamic elements in southern India. In July 2022, BJP leader Srinivasan was brutally murdered in Kerala’s Palakkad district. A few months earlier, Harsha, a Bajrang Dal activist, was hacked to death in Shivamogga, Karnataka, allegedly by a gang with Islamist affiliations.
These killings are often portrayed as retaliation for perceived communal grievances or part of a larger effort to silence dissenting voices from the nationalist camp. The involvement of radical outfits like PFI and SDPI in these acts has been flagged by various agencies, leading to increased calls for stricter laws and a complete crackdown on these groups.
Inside the Praveen Nettaru Murder Case
Praveen Nettaru, aged 32, was returning home from his poultry shop in Bellare village of Sullia taluk, Dakshina Kannada district, when he was attacked by two motorcycle-borne assailants wielding sharp weapons. The murder took place in broad daylight, sending shockwaves through Karnataka and triggering massive protests by BJP workers across the state.
The BJP government at the time faced intense pressure from its cadre and youth wing members who felt betrayed by the lack of protection for party activists. The murder also led to resignations from party posts by several local functionaries demanding justice for Nettaru.
Soon after, the Union Home Ministry transferred the case to the NIA, which re-registered the FIR on August 4, 2022. Initial arrests in the case led to a network of suspects allegedly linked to the banned PFI. The NIA identified Mustafa Paichar as the chief conspirator who planned and executed the attack. Abdul Rahaman had allegedly harboured Paichar and others, playing a crucial logistical role. Another accused, Ateeq Ahmed, was arrested in January 2025 for assisting Paichar while in hiding.
Justice in Sight, But the Fight Continues
The arrest of Abdul Rahaman marks a significant milestone in the Praveen Nettaru case and reflects the commitment of central agencies to root out terrorism and protect political workers from targeted violence. However, the broader threat posed by radical Islamist organisations remains a matter of national concern. With multiple BJP workers being murdered in recent years, the Centre’s efforts to ban and dismantle outfits like the PFI are both necessary and overdue.
The NIA has reiterated its commitment to arrest the remaining absconders and bring full closure to the case. The agency is expected to intensify its investigations in the coming weeks as it uncovers more details of the conspiracy.
