Bantwal Rural Police on Friday issued a formal notice to RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, asking him to report for questioning in the Abdul Rahman murder investigation.
The summons, which cites Crime No: 54/2025, was handed out after detectives linked Bhat to the suspects through phone records that allegedly show continuous contact at the time of the killing.
Abdul Rahman was slain on 25 May 2025 near Irakodi in Kuriyala village, Bantwal taluk, while unloading sand from a pickup truck. His companion, Kalander Shafi, suffered serious injuries in the same attack.
The incident occurred only days after the murder of Suhas Shetty, prompting authorities to label the Rahman case a possible revenge killing and sparking widespread concern across Karnataka.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal have publicly condemned the police move, arguing that the notice targets a community leader unfairly. Their statements have added a new layer of tension to the already volatile situation in the coastal region.
Dr. Arun Kumar, Superintendent of Police for Dakshina Kannada district, confirmed that Bhat’s statement has not yet been recorded at the Bantwal Rural Police Station. A witness notice has been issued to secure his testimony, after which the department plans to file a charge sheet in court.
Local residents and political observers say the development could influence the pace of the investigation, especially given the high‑profile nature of the parties involved. The police have urged anyone with further information to come forward.
Image: varthabharati.in
📰 Source: Vartha Bharati DK