Bengaluru: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is conducting investigations across various parts of the country, including Kerala, in search of those absconding in the murder case of Praveen Nettaru, a Yuva Morcha activist from Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka. In Karnataka alone, searches were conducted at 16 locations, while in Kerala, inspections are reportedly being carried out in Ernakulam.

Praveen Nettaru was murdered on July 26, 2022, in front of his shop in Bellare, Sullia, by two individuals who arrived on a scooter. Initially investigated by the police, the case was later handed over to the NIA. During the investigation, 19 persons were arrested , and a chargesheet has been filed against them. On May 11, the NIA arrested key accused Mustafa Paichar, a resident of Sullia in Dakshina Kannada, and Kodagu natives Siraj and Ilyas. They were apprehended by an NIA team led by Inspector Shanmukha from Sakleshpur in Hassan district. The NIA had announced a reward of ₹5 lakh for information leading to Mustafa’s capture.

The NIA's initial chargesheet pointed out that the Popular Front of India (PFI) had formed a special assassination squad to kill Praveen. According to the NIA, the squad was led by M.H. Tufail, a native of Kodagu, who trained others involved in the murder. The agency's investigation revealed that Tufail provided hideouts for three key accused in Mysuru and Kodagu in Karnataka and Erode in Tamil Nadu.

The NIA chargesheet said that Praveen's murder was part of the PFI's agenda to instill fear within a particular community and create communal hatred and unrest in society.