Former Karnataka gangster Muthappa Rai's son injured after being shot at in moving car near Bidadi house

Business dispute likely behind 'meticulous attack' on Ricky Rai

Bengaluru: Ricky Rai, the son of former underworld don Muthappa Rai, suffered injuries after being shot at near his house in Bidadi, about 40 km west of Bengaluru, in the early hours of Saturday, according to police.

Rai was travelling to Bengaluru with his driver and gunman in his Toyota Fortuner around 1:30 am when an assailant fired two rounds of gunfire. A bullet pierced the driver's door, injuring both Rai and the driver.

Credit: Special Arrangement

The driver sustained a minor injury to his back, while Rai was wounded in his right arm and nose. Home Minister G Parameshwara stated that both have been shifted to a private hospital and are out of danger.

Srinivas Gowda, Superintendent of Police, Ramanagar, said that the shooter likely used a shotgun, though this was yet to be confirmed. Scene of Crime Officers and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) teams have collected multiple samples from the crime scene.

The incident occurred just about 200 metres from the gate of Rai’s residence. Police have not yet confirmed whether Rai’s privately hired gunman returned fire. Police have yet to ascertain if the shooter acted alone or with accomplices.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the shooter had been hiding behind a cement wall across the road, waiting for Rai’s vehicle. Police suspect the attacker positioned the weapon through a large hole in the compound wall before opening fire. Investigators believe this was a meticulously planned attack and are also considering the possibility of an insider being involved, as the attackers seemed aware of Rai’s movements.

According to police, Rai had returned to Bengaluru from Russia about three days ago and was attending to family matters. The Bidadi police have taken a complaint from Rai’s driver and are investigating possible leads. While initial findings suggest the incident may be linked to a business dispute, police have not ruled out other motives and are interrogating all of Rai’s and his family's contacts.

Investigators have discovered that Rai was in an ongoing dispute with the owner of a real estate company. The driver also raised suspicion about the real estate owner and Rai’s first wife. Police plan to summon both individuals, along with one of Muthappa Rai’s former rivals. The names of the suspects have not yet been disclosed.

An FIR has been registered at the Bidadi police station under the relevant section of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) pertaining to attempted murder, along with charges under the Arms Act.