Bantwal murder case: KCOCA invoked against Bharath Kumdelu, others in Abdul Rahiman killing
Mangaluru: The Karnataka Police have invoked the Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act (KCOCA), 2000, against the accused in the murder of Abdul Rahiman from Kolattamajalu, Bantwal. The case, which occurred in May this year, involved multiple individuals with alleged links to organised criminal activities and communal unrest, police officials confirmed.
According to Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Dr. Arun K, the KCOCA provisions have been applied against key accused Bharath Raj alias Bharath Kumdelu (29) of Pudu village and several others already under judicial custody. Bharath Kumdelu remains absconding, and police are actively pursuing his arrest.
The incident took place on May 27, 2025, in the Erakodi area of Kuryal village, when Abdul Rahiman (32) and Kalander Shafi were brutally attacked by a group of assailants. While Shafi sustained serious injuries, Rahiman succumbed to his wounds.
Following the murder, police arrested 13 accused, identified as Deepak, Chintan, Prithviraj Jogi, Sumit B. Acharya, V. Raviraj Moolya, Abhin Rai, Tejaksha, Ravisanjay G.S., Shivaprasad Tumbe, Pradeep, Shahith, Sachin Rottigudde, and Ranjith. All of them have been remanded to judicial custody.
The case was initially registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including:
Section 191(1) – use of force or violence by unlawful assembly,
Section 191(2) – rioting,
Section 191(3) – rioting using deadly weapons,
Section 118(1) – voluntarily causing hurt,
Section 118(2) – voluntarily causing grievous hurt,
Section 109 – attempt to murder,
Section 103 – murder, and
Section 190 – unlawful assembly.
Police stated that the accused have been involved in several serious offences over the years, including murder, attempted murder, and provocative speeches, which have allegedly incited social unrest and communal tensions in the region.
Citing the organised and recurring nature of these crimes, the authorities invoked KCOCA to facilitate a more comprehensive investigation and ensure stringent prosecution under the state’s anti-organised crime framework.
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Indigo crisis: Shivakumar urges Centre to act immediately, bring situation under control
Bengaluru (PTI): With large scale flight cancellations by Indigo airlines leaving passengers stranded, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday urged the Centre to act immediately and bring the situation under control.
He called the IndiGo fiasco a the direct result of the govt's monopoly model.
Taking to social media platform 'X', Shivakumar said India is witnessing the worst aviation meltdown in its history. "Thousands of flights cancelled - leaving our people stranded everywhere".
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"The IndiGo fiasco is the direct result of the govt's monopoly model. And as always, it is ordinary Indians who are paying the price," he said.
Shivakumar said that the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, which is India's 3rd busiest airport with nearly 40 million travellers a year, is in complete chaos.
"This is hurting families, businesses and our national reputation. I urge the Union Government to act immediately and bring this situation under control. Our people deserve better," he added.
Domestic carrier IndiGo cancelled over 800 flights on Saturday, the fifth day of the ongoing crisis, even as the government imposed a cap on airfares and directed the airline to process all refunds by Sunday evening.
