Two days after a youth leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Praveen Nettaru was killed in Karnataka, two persons – Zakir and Shafique – were arrested in connection with the murder on Thursday, 28 July.
Reacting to the murder, which has elicited widespread outrage in the state from Hindutva organisations, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Thursday, that if need be "we will implement Yogi government model (UP Model) in Karnataka."
According to ADGP (Law and Order) Alok Kumar, Zakir has a criminal case against him and has links with the Popular Front of India (PFI). Shafique, too, was a part of PFI, his wife confirmed, adding that he 'had no idea about the incident'.
"Yes, he's a part of PFI. He used to work as a social worker in the organisation but had no idea about the incident. He was shocked and had tears in his eyes when he came to know. Police is trying to frame him," she said, according to news agency ANI.
"The two persons arrested will be produced before a local court today. Till now, 15 people have been questioned, out of which 2 people arrested. Probing the possibility of a Kerala registration vehicle used in incident," SP of Dakshina Kannada Rishikesh Sonawane told reporters.