Bengaluru: Former underworld don Muthappa Rai, 68, breathed his last on Friday. He was suffering from brain cancer for some time now, to which he had openly admitted at a press conference arranged by him at his lavish bungalow in Bidadi. His last rites will be carried out in presence of his family members and supporters, not exceeding more 20 in numbers.
Born in Puttur, Rai started his career as a bank employee and then switched to dance club and operating a restaurant along with his wife Rekha. He was deported to India by Dubai police following which he was interrogated in connection with several cases including his alleged links with the underworld and India’s most wanted man – Dawood Ibrahim.
He was tried in the sensational murder case of Subbaraj, a builder in which he was eventually acquitted by th court. Rai turned to social activism with his organisation Jaya Karnataka.
While making it public about his health, Rai had said that he has prepared a legal will over his wealth to his children and few others. He had even acted in a Tulu movie Kanchilda Bale in 2011 and even Ramgopal Verma had announced a film titled ‘Rai’, a film based on former Don’s life featuring Vivek Oberoi in the lead.