Ricky Rai, son of the late underworld don-turned-socialite N Muthappa Rai, was allegedly shot at by unidentified assailants near his residence in the Bidadi area of Karnataka’s Ramanagara district during the early hours of Saturday.
The attack took place between 1 am and 1:30 am as Ricky was travelling in his car from Bidadi to Bengaluru, police officials confirmed. Unidentified individuals allegedly opened fire at the vehicle, with one of the bullets piercing the driver's seat and injuring both Ricky Rai and the driver. Rai was seated in the rear of the car alongside his personal gunman when the firing occurred.
Confirming the details of the incident, Ramanagara Superintendent of Police (SP) Srinivas Gowda told ANI, “Rai was shot near his residence in Bidadi, a town in Karnataka. The incident took place around 1:30 am on Saturday. He has been referred to Bengaluru for treatment.”
The motive behind the attack is currently unclear, and a police investigation is underway to identify the attackers and uncover any possible links to Rai’s controversial family background.
Ricky’s father, N Muthappa Rai, was a well-known figure in Karnataka’s underworld before attempting a transformation into a businessman and socialite. As per a Deccan Herald report, Rai began his career as a bank clerk and simultaneously operated a cabaret bar on Brigade Road in Bengaluru. His transition into crime reportedly began as a way to protect his business from local goons.
Rai’s notoriety peaked in 1989, when he and his associates ambushed and killed rival gangster MP Jayaraj, catapulting him to infamy in the state’s crime circles. He passed away on May 15, 2020, after battling brain cancer.
