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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Former minister C M Ibrahim announces to launch new regional party for Karnataka
Kalaburagi: Two years after being expelled from the Janata Dal (Secular), former minister C.M. Ibrahim has announced that he will launch a new regional political party in Karnataka on January 24, reported Deccan Herald.
Speaking at a meeting organised by the Nava Karnataka Nirmana Andolana in Kalaburagi on Sunday, Ibrahim confirmed the birth of the new party.
The 77-year-old politician stated he would soon be meeting with other like-minded individuals to choose a symbol for the party.
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Ibrahim emphasised that the organisation would be guided by the principles of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna and the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
A veteran politician, Ibrahim served as Union Civil Aviation Minister during the tenure of H.D. Deve Gowda as Prime Minister and later headed the Karnataka unit of the Janata Dal (Secular). He was expelled from the JD(S) in 2023 on charges of anti-party activities.
His exit from the party followed sharp differences over the JD(S) decision to ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As the then state president of the JD(S), Ibrahim had publicly criticised the alliance, claiming it was finalised without his knowledge. He had also reportedly convened meetings of his supporters and expressed support for the INDIA bloc.
