Bantwal Rural police have issued a notice to prominent RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, summoning him for questioning in connection with the May 2025 murder of Abdul Rahiman in Dakshina Kannada. Bhat is scheduled to appear before investigators at his Kalladka residence on September 26.
Police sources indicate that Bhat was reportedly in regular phone contact with some of the accused individuals around the time of the killing. This information, gathered during the ongoing investigation, prompted officers to issue the summons to seek clarifications and record his official statement. The Abdul Rahiman murder case has already seen the apprehension of thirteen suspects, booked under the stringent Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act (KCOCA).
The development has provoked a strong reaction from Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Sharan Pumpwell, who vociferously protested the notice. Pumpwell asserted the action was politically motivated, alleging a deliberate targeting of Hindu organizations. He questioned Bhat's purported link to the murder, claiming the summons aimed to silence Hindu voices and was a precursor to an arrest. Pumpwell also highlighted that two charge sheets have already been filed in the case, challenging the necessity of further inquiry involving Bhat. He further connected the notice to the upcoming BC Road Chalo programme and demanded its immediate withdrawal, warning of widespread street protests by Hindu activists if the directive stands.
Abdul Rahiman was brutally attacked with deadly weapons on May 25, 2025, near Irakodi in Kuriyala village, Bantwal taluk. The incident occurred while he was unloading sand from a pickup truck. Kalandar Shafi also suffered serious injuries during the assault. This killing, happening merely days after the murder of Suhas Shetty, led to suspicions of a retaliatory motive and significantly heightened regional tensions across Dakshina Kannada.
Investigators expect to record Bhat's statement as a part of their ongoing probe, emphasizing that the notice itself does not imply guilt or direct involvement in the crime.
Image: siasat.com
đź“° Source: Siasat Gulf