The son of late underworld don N Muthappa Rai was allegedly shot at by unidentified assailants near his residence in Bidadi here, police said on Saturday. Ricky Rai is currently undergoing treatment at Manipal hospital in Bengaluru, they said.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said he was aware of the incident and sought details from the police. “I was told that the incident happened at 1:30 or 2 am. I have asked for details. He (Ricky) has been admitted to Manipal Hospital and I’m told he is out of danger. Police have begun the investigation at the spot by deploying extra force,” he told media. The incident occurred between 1 am to 1.30 am (late Friday night) near his residence when he was travelling from Bidadi to Bengaluru in his car.  According to police, some unidentified people allegedly opened three rounds of fire and a bullet struck the vehicle.  He was seated in the rear along with his gunman when the bullet pierced through the driver’s seat, injuring both the driver and Rai.

Citing preliminary inquiry, a senior police officer said Ricky, who usually drives himself, sustained injuries to his nose and arms. Both the driver and the Ricky are stated to be out of danger.  Initially, Ricky was taken to a private hospital in Bidadi and later referred to Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru for advanced treatment. Based on the complaint of his driver, a case has been registered against Muthappa Rai’s second wife Anuradha, entrepreneur Rakesh Malli (close associate of Muthappa) and Niketan trust, the senior police officer said.