MANGALURU: A notice issued to RSS Karyakarta Dr Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat in connection with the murder of Abdul Rahiman has triggered a strong reaction from Hindu organisations, with the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal announcing a protest at BC Road on September 28.
The Bantwal Rural Police have served the notice to Bhat as part of the continuing investigation into the Abdul Rahiman murder case registered under Crime No. 54/2025. Police said Bhat’s statement is yet to be recorded and that a witness notice has been issued to obtain his statement and clarify certain facts and circumstances connected with the case.
According to the notice, issued in the name of Bantwal Rural Police Station Assistant Investigating Officer Kalaimar P., Bhat has been asked to appear for questioning at his residence in Kalladka on September 26. He has been directed to provide information required for the investigation and cooperate with the investigating
officers. The district police said the notice is part of the investigation process and that Bhat’s statement is required before the police complete the remaining formalities in the case. After recording his statement, the police are expected to submit the charge sheet before the competent court, the police said.
The police clarification assumes significance as the notice has led to speculation among supporters of Hindu organisations about Bhat’s alleged involvement in the case. However, the police described the notice as a witness notice to record his statement. Issuance of such a notice does not by itself establish guilt or involvement in the murder.
The Abdul Rahiman murder took place at Irakodi in Kuriyala village under Bantwal Rural police limits. Rahiman was allegedly attacked by a group of men who arrived on motorcycles while he was unloading sand from a pickup vehicle. He was killed in the attack, while another person was also reportedly assaulted.
The murder had caused tension in parts of Dakshina Kannada, particularly as it occurred after the killing of Hindu activist Suhas Shetty. The sequence of incidents had led to allegations and counter-allegations about possible retaliatory violence.
Police have so far arrested 23 people in connection with the Abdul Rahiman murder case and submitted a charge sheet, according to the district police. Police also registered the case under the Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act (KCOCA).
The investigation then continued before the special court. Recently, the KCOCA Special Court in Mysuru granted bail to eight of the accused. Police have said that the notice to Bhat was issued as part of the continuing investigation, around one-and-a-half years after the murder.
The notice has now become a major point of contention for Hindu organisations in coastal Karnataka.
VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders have strongly opposed the police action against Bhat. Addressing a press conference in Mangaluru, VHP leader Sharan Pumpwell alleged that there was a systematic attempt to implicate Bhat in the murder case. He accused the Congress government of targeting Hindu organisations for political reasons.
Pumpwell also questioned the continued action against accused persons after courts had granted bail to some of them. He alleged that Hindu activists were being targeted through criminal cases and demanded that the notice issued to Bhat be withdrawn.
The VHP leader announced that Hindu organisations would hold a ‘BC Road Chalo’ protest on September 28 against what they described as the targeting of Hindu organisations. The protest is scheduled for the morning and is expected to draw supporters from across Dakshina Kannada.
Pumpwell said Bhat himself would participate in the programme as the chief speaker. The announcement has added a political and organisational dimension to the controversy surrounding the police notice.
The proposed protest comes at a time when the police investigation into the Abdul Rahiman murder case is nearing another important stage. Police have maintained that Bhat is being questioned to record his statement and complete the investigation, while Hindu organisations have alleged that the notice is politically motivated.
The police are expected to record Bhat’s statement on September 26. The statement could form part of the remaining investigation before the police file the final charge sheet in court.
