The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday conducted extensive searches at the houses of three absconding suspects in the case related to the murder of BJP Yuva Morcha member Praveen Nettaru by cadres of the banned terror group Popular Front of India (PFI) in Karnataka last year.
The NIA searched three locations in two districts of Karnataka as part of its efforts to hunt down the absconders. The agency seized several electronic gadgets and documents during the searches at the houses of Abdul Nasir, Abdul Rahaman in Kodagu district and Naushad in Dakshina Kannada district, the NIA said.
“All three are suspected of harbouring the main assailants of Parveen Nettaru at various hideouts across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu State. Besides the trio, five other accused are still absconding in the case, which NIA had taken over in August 2022,” it said.
A total of 21 persons, including the absconders, have so far been chargesheeted by NIA under various sections of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Arms Act.
Nettaru was hacked to death on July 26, 2022 in Bellare village of Sullia Taluk at Dakshina Kannada district by PFI ‘Killer Squads’ or ‘Service Teams’, it said.
“PFI has been indulging in such targeted ‘hate killings’ with the aim of driving a communal wedge and spreading communal hatred with its ultimate objective of establishing an Islamic Rule in India by 2047. Efforts to track down the absconding accused are continuing,” the NIA added.