The son of late underworld don N Muthappa Rai was allegedly shot at by unidentified assailants near his residence in Bidadi, Karnataka, in the early hours of Saturday, April 19, 2025. The victim, Ricky Rai, is currently undergoing treatment at Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru.
The incident occurred between 1:00 AM and 1:30 AM while Ricky was traveling from Bidadi to Bengaluru in his sports utility vehicle (SUV) accompanied by his driver, Basavaraju, and a personal security guard. According to police reports, the attackers opened fire from behind a compound wall, striking the vehicle and injuring both Ricky and the driver.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the assailants fired at least two to three rounds, with one bullet piercing through the driver’s seat. Ricky sustained injuries to his nose and arms, while Basavaraju, the driver, also suffered injuries but both are reported to be out of danger.
Ricky was initially taken to a private hospital in Bidadi before being referred to Manipal Hospital for advanced treatment. Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara confirmed the incident and stated that he had sought details from police officials. "I was told that the incident happened at 1:30 or 2 AM. I have sought details. He (Ricky) has been admitted to Manipal Hospital and I’m told he is out of danger. Police have begun the investigation at the spot by deploying extra force," he said.
The police have registered a case based on the complaint from Ricky's driver against several individuals, including Muthappa Rai’s second wife, Anuradha, entrepreneur Rakesh Malli, and a trust named Niketan. Investigators are currently analyzing CCTV footage from the vicinity to identify the suspects involved in the shootout.
Driver Basavaraju recounted the moments leading up to the shooting, noting that Ricky, who usually prefers to drive himself, had asked him to take the wheel for an unknown reason that night. “Normally, Ricky takes the wheel as he loves driving. But yesterday, for some unknown reason, he asked me to drive and sat behind. Suddenly, we heard gunshots, and something hit the right door. We saw that Ricky was injured on his nose and was bleeding,” he said.
The attack occurred near Ricky's residence in Bidadi, a town located in Karnataka's Ramanagara district. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, but there are indications that it may have been carried out by rival gang members, possibly as a warning.
Ricky Rai, the younger son of the late Muthappa Rai, is known to have been involved in several legal cases and has had rivalries with various gangsters in Karnataka. He had recently returned to Bengaluru after spending time abroad, raising questions about whether his past connections are linked to the attack.
Muthappa Rai was a notorious figure in Bengaluru's underworld during the 1990s, later reinventing himself as a businessman and socialite. Originally from Puttur in Dakshina Kannada, he gained notoriety in the city’s crime circles but claimed to have left that life behind before his death in 2020 due to cancer. Despite his controversial past, he remained a public figure until his passing.
As investigations continue, police teams have been formed to track down the suspects involved in the shooting. Senior police officials visited the scene and are working diligently to piece together the events leading up to the attack.
The incident has raised concerns among local residents and officials, prompting discussions about safety and security in the area. The police are urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward as they work to resolve this case.
With the underworld connections and the ongoing investigations, the situation remains tense as the authorities seek to ensure justice and maintain peace in the community.
