Ricky Rai identifies assailants in shooting incident, cites property dispute as motive

The investigation into the recent attack on Ricky Rai, son of the late underworld figure Muthappa Rai, has gained momentum after Ricky provided a detailed statement to police from his hospital bed at Manipal Hospital.

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Ricky Rai was shot near his Bidadi farmhouse by three unidentified men, sustaining injuries to his nose and right arm. The assailants fled the scene immediately after the attack. He was quickly rushed to Manipal Hospital by his friends and driver for treatment.

In his statement to the Bidadi police, recorded on Saturday afternoon, Ricky alleged that the attack stemmed from a property dispute. He named four individuals — Rakesh Malli, Anuradha, Nitesh Shetty, and Vaidyanathan — as being involved in the plot against him. According to Ricky, the accused admitted their role in the attack and cited property disagreements as the reason.

Ricky further explained that he had returned from Russia to attend a court case related to a land dispute. He was residing in both Sadashivanagar and Bidadi upon his return. On the day of the incident, he received two phone calls around midnight. While on his way to his residence in Sadashivanagar, he was ambushed and shot hear his farmhouse in Bidadi.

The Bidadi police have intensified their probe and are pursuing leads based on Ricky’s testimony. Further interrogations and arrests are expected in the coming days.