Bengaluru, 20 April

Ramanagara police suspect contract killers were behind the recent shooting of Ricky Rai, son of late underworld figure Muthappa Rai, on Friday evening.

Superintendent of Police Srinivas Gowda confirmed that four teams have been formed, including one focusing specifically on known hired gunmen. Though several individuals have been questioned, the attackers remain unidentified more than 24 hours after the botched assassination attempt.

Police are probing multiple angles, including disputes over Muthappa Rai’s property, business rivalries linked to Ricky Rai’s real estate interests, and personal enmities. “No motive is being ruled out at this stage,” Gowda said.

A complaint filed by Ricky’s driver, Basavaraju, at Bidadi police station names four suspects: Anuradha (Muthappa Rai’s second wife), Rakesh Malli, Nitesh Shetty, and Vaidyanathan. Basavaraju claims Ricky voiced suspicions about them before being hospitalised.

Bidadi police have taken preliminary statements from the driver and will record Ricky Rai’s version once his condition permits. “Once we hear from the victim, the investigation will gain momentum,” a senior officer told Salar News.

Police are preparing to issue notices to the four for questioning. Investigators also recovered a basic mobile phone without a SIM card from the scene, which could be a vital clue.