Kuryal, 5 Oct

Nearly five months after the killing of 32-year-old Abdul Rahiman in Bantwal’s Kuryal, police have arrested 13 accused and remanded them to judicial custody, while one is still on the run. The Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act (KCOCA) has been invoked in the case to ensure stringent action, officials said.

The incident took place in May in the Erakodi area of Kuryal village, where Rahiman and Kalander Shafi were violently attacked. While Shafi suffered grievous injuries, Rahiman succumbed to his wounds.

Police have confirmed that one accused, Bharath Raj alias Bharath Kumdelu, 29, of Pudu village, remains absconding.

The case, registered on 27 May, includes multiple charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, such as rioting, use of deadly weapons, grievous hurt, attempt to murder, and murder.

Authorities noted that the accused have a history of serious offences, including murder, attempted murder, and making provocative speeches that incited social unrest and communal tensions.

"Given the organised and violent nature of the crime, invoking KCOCA is essential for a comprehensive investigation and prosecution under the state’s anti-organised crime laws," police said on Saturday.