RN Nayak murder case: Court holds 9, including Bannaje Raja guilty; sentence to be pronounced on Apr 4

A KCOCA court in Belagavi on Wednesday held nine persons, including gangster Bannaje Raja guilty and convicted them in the murder case of BJP leader and businessman R N Nayak. The sentence in the matter will be pronounced on April 4.

Bannaje Raja alias Rajendra Kumar (54) is one of the prime accused in the sensational case murder of BJP leader and businessman R N Nayak from Ankola in Uttara Kannada.

It is alleged that Bannaje Raja, who was notorious for demanding hafta (ransom money) from businessmen, had demanded Rs 3 crore from RN Nayak. However as he refused to accede to the demands, Bannaje Raja allegedly got him killed on December 21, 2013.

After investigation, police had named 16 accused in the case. Of which, 13 accused, including Bannaje Raja, have been arrested. Bannaje Raja is the 9th accused in the 500-page charge sheet prepared and submitted to the court by the police.

Presently, Raja is languishing in the Hindalaga jail in Belagavi.

Bannanje Raja has a total of 48 cases of hafta, extortion, murder, and arms offenses in various police stations in Udupi, Mangaluru, Uttara Kannada, Bangalore, Mysuru, and Shivamogga.