Preliminary charge sheet soon in Ricky Rai shooting case; gunman prime accused

Bengaluru: The Bidadi police are preparing to submit a preliminary charge sheet in the case pertaining to the shooting on Ricky Rai, son of former underworld don Muthappa Rai, in April. 

Vittal Monappa, Ricky’s gunman, has emerged as the prime accused, according to a well-placed police source. He was arrested on April 24. 

Ricky, 33, was shot in his moving black Toyota Fortuner from a distance of less than 50 metres near his Bidadi house in the early hours of April 19.

Monappa, 53, was a gatekeeper at Ricky’s house in Bidadi. Before that, he had served as a gunman to Muthappa for nearly three decades, and Ricky grew up under his supervision, according to the police. 

R Srinivas Gowda, Superintendent of Police, Ramanagar, said that Ricky had not been questioned as he was still recovering from his injuries. 

"Investigations will be completed after questioning Ricky. So for now, we will file a preliminary charge sheet,” Gowda told DH. 

The police source noted that Ricky had been summoned for questioning, and he had sought time, citing health reasons.