Sat Oct 04 17:08:03 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text, formatted as a news report from The Hindu:

**The Hindu: Karnataka Police Invoke KCOCA in Sand Transporter Murder Case**

**MANGALURU, October 4, 2025 (10:38 PM IST)** – The Bantwal Rural police have escalated their investigation into the May 27th murder of sand transporter Abdul Rahiman by invoking the Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act (KCOCA) against all individuals involved.

According to a press release issued today, police have already apprehended and placed in judicial custody 13 individuals in connection with the crime. The arrested have been identified as Deepak, Chintan, Prithviraj Jogi, B. Sumith Acharya, V. Raviraj Moolya, Abhin Rai, Tejaksha, G.S. Ravisanjay, Shivaprasad Thumbe, Pradeep, Shahit, Sachin Rottigudde, and Ranjit.

The accused face a multitude of charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sections 103 (1), 109 (1), 118(2), 61 (2)(A), 249 (A), 238(A) and 3 (5), as well as Section 25(1)(A) of the Arms Act. Police stated that the decision to apply KCOCA was based on the accused’s involvement in a pattern of organized crime including murder, attempted murder, hate speech, and other serious offenses.

Authorities are currently searching for Bharath Raj, also known as Bharath Kumdelu, who remains at large and is believed to be connected to the case. The investigation remains ongoing.

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