Key PFI member held for BJP leader’s murder

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday arrested an absconding state executive member of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) in connection with BJP leader Praveen Nettaru’s murder case.

Kodaje Mohammed Sherif, against whom a lookout circular had been issued, was picked up on arrival from Bahrain at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi.

BJP Yuva Morcha member Praveen Nettaru was murdered by members of the PFI on July 26, 2022, at Bellare village of Sullia Taluk in Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka.

The NIA, which took over the investigation on August 4, 2022, has chargesheeted 23 persons and arrested 20 of the accused so far.

As per the NIA investigations, Sherif was the PFI state executive committee member and head of the outfit’s service team. He, along with other co-accused, was involved in imparting arms training to the service team members.