Ramanagara, 19 April

The son of late underworld don N Muthappa Rai was allegedly shot at by unidentified assailants near his residence in Bidadi here, police said on Saturday.

Ricky Rai is currently undergoing treatment at Manipal hospital in Bengaluru, they said.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said he was aware of the incident and sought details from police officials.

“I was told that the incident happened at 1.30 or 2 am. I have asked for details. He (Ricky) has been admitted to Manipal Hospital and I’m told he is out of danger. Police have begun the investigation at the spot by deploying extra force,” he said.

The incident occurred between 1 am to 1.30 am (late Friday night) near his residence when he was travelling from Bidadi to Bengaluru in his car.

According to the police, some unidentified people allegedly opened three rounds of fire and a bullet struck the vehicle. He was seated in the rear along with his gunman when the bullet pierced through the driver's seat, injuring both the driver and Rai.

Citing preliminary inquiry, a senior police officer said Ricky, who usually drives himself. He sustained injuries to his nose and arms. Both the driver and the Ricky are stated to be out of danger.

Ricky was initially taken to a private hospital in Bidadi and was later referred to Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru for advanced treatment.

Based on the complaint of his driver, a case has been registered against Muthappa Rai's second wife Anuradha, entrepreneur Rakesh Malli (once a close associate of Muthappa) and Niketan trust, a senior police officer said.

CCTV cameras installed in and around the vicinity of the area are being scanned to identify the suspects and ascertain the sequence of events that unfolded, he said.

Teams have been formed and efforts are being made to nab the suspects involved in the shootout.