RN Nayak murder in 2013: KOCA court to pronounce verdict on March 30

Mangaluru: Almost 9 years after the sensational murder of BJP leader and businessman R N Nayak, a KOCA court in Belagavi is expected to announce its verdict on Tuesday, March 30. Infamous underworld gangster Bannaje Raja alias Rajendra Kumar (54) is one of the prime accused in the sensational case.

It is alleged that Bannaje Raja, who was notorious for demanding hafta (ransom money) from businessmen, had demanded Rs 3 crore from RN Nayak from Ankola in Uttara Kannada. As Nayak had 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.