Bengaluru, 21 April

The probe into the attempted murder of Ricky Rai, son of former underworld figure Muthappa Rai, has gathered momentum with the Bidadi Police recording Rai’s statement from his hospital bed.

Rai, who is recovering at Manipal Hospital in City, sustained gunshot wounds to his nose and right shoulder during the attack late Friday night near his Bidadi farmhouse. Though initially in a critical state, he is now stable and able to speak, allowing investigators to record a detailed account of the events.

In his statement, Rai named four individuals- Rakesh Malli, Anuradha, Nitesh Shetty, and Vaidhyanathan—as suspects in the shooting. He told police he had received a phone call around midnight on the night of the attack, prompting him to leave his Bidadi residence and head towards Sadashivanagar in his car. As he turned onto the main road from his farmhouse, assailants opened fire on him.

Rai said he had returned from Russia recently due to an ongoing land dispute that is under court litigation, which he believes could be the motive behind the attack.

Investigators are analysing call records, CCTV footage, and property-related disputes involving the named individuals. A senior officer said the special teams are pursuing multiple leads and believe the attack was premeditated.

Police are yet to make any arrests, but sources say breakthroughs are expected soon.