The National Investigation Agency on Friday arrested a fugitive state executive member of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) in connection with the murder of BJP leader Praveen Nettaru. His identity has been confirmed as Kodaje Mohammed Sharif, against whom a lookout circular was issued.
The NIA detained Mohammed Sharif upon his arrival from Bahrain at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. On March 26, 2022, BJP Yuva Morcha worker Praveen Nettaru was killed in Bellare village, Sullia taluk, of Karnataka's Dakshina Kannada district. PFI was accused of being involved, with Sharif training the assassins in weapon handling.
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NIA has arrested 20 individuals so far
Since taking over the investigation on August 4, 2022, after the murder of the BJP Yuva Morcha worker, the NIA has arrested 20 people and filed charges against 23 accused individuals, including three absconders, in the RC-36/2022/NIA/DLI case.
Accused Sharif provided weapon training
According to NIA investigations, Kodaje Mohammed Sharif was a member of PFI's state executive committee and head of the organization's service team. Alongside the accused, Kodaje was involved in providing weapon training to service team members at Freedom Community Hall in Mittur.
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Murder of BJP Yuva Morcha worker case
Kodaje was also responsible for directing targeted killings during PFI's state executive committee discussions. Following these instructions, Mustafa Pacher and his team brutally murdered Praveen Nettaru. NIA investigations further revealed that the conspiracy aimed to spread terror, communal hatred, and unrest in society. The probe continues to uncover the full conspiracy and arrest those still at large.
