Why wasn’t Ricky Rai driving on the night of the shooting? Here's what his driver said

The attack took place while Ricky was travelling in an SUV along with his driver and a personal security guard.

Updated on: Apr 19, 2025, 11:25:32 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Ricky Rai, son of the late underworld figure-turned-businessman Muthappa Rai, sustained injuries in a shooting incident near his residence in Bidadi, located in Karnataka's Ramanagara district, shortly after midnight on Friday.

According to preliminary police findings, unidentified assailants opened fire from behind a boundary wall, hitting the vehicle. (X/ANI)

The attack took place while Ricky was travelling in an SUV along with his driver and a personal security guard. According to preliminary police findings, unidentified assailants opened fire from behind a boundary wall, hitting the vehicle.

(Also Read: Karnataka: Son of late underworld don Muthappa Rai shot at, hospitalised)

What did the driver say?

According to a Times of India report, Ricky’s driver Basavaraju revealed a detail about the night. “Ricky usually insists on driving himself, he enjoys being behind the wheel. But last night, unexpectedly, he told me to drive,” he recalled. Moments later, gunshots rang out, shattering the calm. “Something struck the right door. Ricky had been hit, his nose was bleeding,” he added according to TOI.

“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,” Ramanagara Superintendent of Police (SP) Srinivas Gowda told ANI.

Ricky was rushed to a hospital and is reportedly out of danger. The motive behind the attack is still under investigation.

More about Muthapa Rai

Muthappa Rai was once one of the most feared names in Bengaluru's underworld during the 1990s, before he reinvented himself as a businessman and socialite. Originally from Puttur in Dakshina Kannada, Rai rose to prominence in the city's crime circles but later claimed to have left that life behind.

He was also known for his involvement in real estate and for founding Jaya Karnataka, a social organization. Despite his controversial past, Rai remained a public figure until his death in 2020 due to cancer.

(Also Read: JDS compares DK Shivakumar to Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, says ‘same same, but different’)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest City News, local updates, weather alerts and breaking stories from Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and other major cities across India on Hindustan Times.