Bengaluru: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two more accused in the 2022 murder of BJP Yuva Morcha functionary Praveen Nettaru, taking the total number of arrests in the case to 24. Three accused remain absconding.The arrested men, Abdul Nasir P alias Nasir and Naushad, were apprehended Saturday from Kochi and Hosur, respectively, in a coordinated operation based on intelligence shared by Andhra Pradesh police.NIA had previously chargesheeted both accused, alleging they knowingly and voluntarily harboured the main assailants involved in the murder of Nettaru, a district executive committee member of BJP Yuva Morcha in Dakshina Kannada district. The case was registered under various provisions of IPC and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.The NIA special court in Bengaluru had issued lookout circulars and open-dated arrest warrants against the duo. The agency had also announced a reward of Rs 4 lakh each for information leading to their arrest.Nettaru was hacked to death on July 26, 2022, in Bellare village of Sullia taluk, Dakshina Kannada, by cadres and members of the Popular Front of India (PFI). According to NIA, the murder was carried out on the instructions of accused Mustafa Paichar. The agency took over investigation on Aug 4, 2022. The two accused had been absconding for four years. NIA said efforts are continuing to trace and arrest the remaining absconding accused.
