Karnataka Minister claims threat call from gangster Ravi Poojary

Mangaluru: Sports and Fisheries Minister K. Abhayachandra Jain received a threat call allegedly from gangster Ravi Poojary over the recent murder of a Bajrang Dal activist, who was involved in the busting of illegal slaughterhouses, the police said on Sunday.

Poojary, who called Mr Jain on Saturday afternoon, accused the minister of shielding the accused in the Prashanth Poojary murder case. When Mr Jain denied the charge, the caller alleged that Mr Jain and district in-charge Minister Ramanath Rai were behind the murder of Prashanth on October 9.

Mr Jain, who filed a complaint with the Moodbidri police, said that the caller spoke in Hindi and English. Besides filing the complaint, Mr Jain also spoke to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Home Minister K.J. George.

Mangaluru Police Commissioner S. Murugan visited the town immediately and ensured additional security for the minister.

Ravi Poojary is said to have made the call over the internet. An old photo, clicked a few months ago, of Mr Jain standing with one of the accused in the Prashanth murder case at a function is making rounds in the social media, insinuating that Mr Jain was shielding the accused.

The 29-year-old Bajrang Dal activist, who had a flower shop near the Moodbidri bus stand, was murdered by a six-member gang. The assailants, who came on three bikes, hacked Prashanth Poojary with choppers early in the morning.

The police have so far arrested nine people in connection with the murder. The accused reportedly told the police that they targeted Poojary because of his communal and anti-cow slaughter stand. They reportedly owe allegiance to an organization that claims to protect the cause of minorities and backward classes.