Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Aug 8: Former Mudarangadi Grama Panchayat president David D’Souza was shot dead at close range while getting into his four-wheeler at Pilaru on August 7. Udupi district police have arrested three accused in connection with the murder and suspect that the killing was linked to a financial dispute involving around Rs 2–3 crore.
Addressing a press conference at the Udupi SP’s office on August 8, superintendent of police Hariram Shankar said D’Souza was shot with a pistol at close range.
Following the incident, the Kaup circle inspector and sub-inspector examined CCTV footage from the surrounding areas. Senior police officers, including Western Range IG Amit Singh, visited the spot and initiated the investigation.
“A FIR has been registered and the investigation is underway. A complaint was filed based on the statement of an employee who was an eyewitness to the incident,” SP Hariram Shankar said.
According to the SP, the preliminary investigation indicates that the murder was connected to a financial dispute. Eyewitnesses reportedly told police that the assailants were speaking Hindi.
Following the murder, police intensified surveillance across the district and established checkposts at various locations. As the accused could potentially escape towards Byndoor, Mangaluru or Agumbe, police teams were deployed along different routes. Checks were also carried out at Udupi and Kundapura railway stations.
Police also alerted their counterparts in Uttara Kannada and established checkposts in Sirsi, Kumta and other areas, besides monitoring several railway stations.
During the search operation at a checkpost in Byndoor, the accused reportedly noticed the police presence and got down from a bus at different locations, according to information provided by bus operators. Police subsequently intensified the search in Byndoor.
Based on information about a suspected person in the area, police conducted a search and apprehended the first accused, identified as Raju from Uttar Pradesh. A pistol and other weapons were reportedly found in his bag. During the arrest attempt, PSI Tejaswi sustained injuries, but police managed to arrest Raju.
The search for the remaining accused continued, with the second and third accused arrested in Bhatkal and Kumta early on August 8. The arrested accused have been identified as Raju, Ajay Rastogi alias Anmol (23), a native of Uttarakhand, and Jiyahul Wajool Sheikh alias Deepak (38), a native of Bihar.
SP Hariram Shankar said preliminary records indicate that Raju has 26 criminal cases, including murder and robbery, registered across five states. Ajay Rastogi has eight cases registered in four states, while Jiyahul Wajool Sheikh has 12 cases.
The SP said the preliminary investigation suggests that a person from North India who had a financial deal with D’Souza allegedly gave the contract for the murder. Police suspect that the dispute involved around Rs 2–3 crore.
The motorcycle allegedly used in the crime was abandoned at Yermal. Police have seized the motorcycle and the pistol allegedly used in the murder. The motorcycle reportedly bore a fake registration number, which was actually a school bus number plate.
According to police, the three accused are professional criminals and were carrying multiple mobile phones and SIM cards. They allegedly used two to three phones and three to four SIM cards each and had multiple identities. Police also suspect that the accused did not know each other’s real names or identities.
The investigation has revealed that the accused had allegedly come to Udupi around two months ago and stayed in the area for some time. Police are now investigating the role of local persons who may have provided logistical support to them.
SP Hariram Shankar said one police team has already travelled to North India as part of the investigation. Police are also probing the possible involvement of a person connected with UPCL contract work in the alleged financial dispute.
“As per the present information, around Rs 2 lac was transferred to the account of accused Raju,” the SP said.
More than 500 police personnel from the district have been involved in the investigation, he added.
Police said D’Souza was allegedly fired at three times during the attack. The pistol seized by police has a capacity of 10 rounds. The SP said the accused had allegedly arrived in Udupi about a week before the murder and stayed here before carrying out the crime.
Police are continuing the investigation to identify the person who allegedly ordered the killing and establish the complete circumstances surrounding the suspected financial dispute.