Southern States - Karnataka

Rai's family to fight for his release

By M. Raghuram

PUTTUR (D.K. DT.) MAY 31. Even while the CBI was interrogating the underworld don, Muthappa Rai, Kayoor village where he was born and his family disbelieve that he has something to do with the underworld. They firmly resent his arrest and if he his convicted, they are ready to appeal against it. They have appealed to the Centre and the State Government to reconsider the cases against him.

Rai's father, Nettala Narayana Rai, his teacher, Manjunath Rai, his classmate, Dambekana Sadashiva Rai, his brother, Diwakar Rai, and Kutelu Raghunatha Shetty and the chief of the Kayoor village temple, Shashidhar Rao Bolikala, told The Hindu on Friday that circumstances pushed Rai into underworld activities. This is why the entire village, its leaders, and his family have decided to stand behind him.

Driving into this obscure village in the far-end of the district, one fails to comprehend how and why a man coming from these serene environs could become an international figure in the world of crime. But taking a look into the initial life Rai had led in this village gives a different picture.

Mr. Narayana Rai is one of the few old men who were educated in the British Raj, and has served the Kayyoor Gram Panchayat for 10 years. He is one of the biggest landowners n the village. Mr. Narayana Rai said: "My boy can never be a criminal. He was studious and obeyed the direction given to him by his elders till he left for Mumbai. I do not know what happened after that. I have no contact with him. He could not have gone so wrong that he had be paraded before the media handcuffed."

Mr. Manjunath Rai said Rai was an obedient student and never missed his homework.

He was a little naughty, for which he used to get punishments. Rai was also afraid of punishments and used to cower whenever he raised his hand to beat him.

"I am shocked to read about him in newspapers, and I certainly feel that there should be something wrong in the way he is projected as a criminal."

Raghunath Shetty, Rai's classmate, said Muthappa was moved by human misery.

He used to rush to the help of those in distress and did not rest till he comforted them. He had leadership qualities which no other youngster in village had.

Shashidhar Rao Bolakala, who recalled his association with Rai when they were young, said the village temple, which was in a shambles, was renovated because of the efforts by Rai.

Even after he left the village for Bangalore, he used to send money to improve village temples.

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