NIA to probe RSS worker Sharath Madiwala's murder?

The case of RSS worker Sharath Madiwala’s killing on BC Road may be handed over to the National Investigation Authority (NIA). Earlier, the premiere organisation had probed the murder of Sangh Parivar’s Rudresh’s murder. A delegation from the State comprising State Union Ministers and BJP MPs had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh recently to urge the Central government to handover several cases of communal killings by the fundamentalists in the district, including RSS Sharath Madiwala's killing. Sources say that the Centre has taken serious consideration of the volatile situation in the district and will attend to these issues after the Presidential elections, reports Kannada Prabha.

On May 26, at Kalladka, Dakshina Kannada district, had witnessed unpleasant incidents culminating in the killing and stabbings. Following this, prohibitory orders were implemented in the district, which continued for over 50 days, the longest in the history of the State. It is over 15 days since the killing of Sharath, an RSS worker yet the police are unable to track down the killer. The situation at the district is volatile, allege the district MPs and Union Ministers who have complained to the Home Minister Rajnath Singh. They have complained that similar to Kerala, the Coastal regions in the State were also witnessing communal forces taking law into their hands.

According to sources, the Union Home Ministry has in principle agreed for NIA probe of Sharath’s killing. Also NIA has the right to independently conduct investigation in view of the safety of the country. NIA has already arrested four persons and investigations are on in connection with Rudresh's murder. Last year, a youth from Bajpe was arrested at midnight by NIA for having connections with ISIS. Sources say it is almost certain that NIA will take up Sharath's murder case.

The Sharath killing is on the lines of Rudresh’s killing and hence it is suspected that the hands of communal forces are playing. The police are also of the suspicion that communal forces similar to Kerala are active in Dakshina Kannada district.

Union Minister DV sadananda Gowda confirmed that necessary documents were submitted to the Union Home Minister connected with the communal killings in Dakshina Kannada district, including Sharath's murder. The State government had handed over RSS worker Rudresh's murder case to CBI in 2016. However, after Rudresh’s family appealed for NIA, the case was later handed over to NIA. So far, the police have arrested four for Rudresh's murder.

• RSS worker Sharath Madiwala
• Bantwal clash
• Karnataka