Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Aug 19: The investigation into RSS worker Sharath Madivala's murder is fast picking up momentum, with the police arrested three more accused in the case on Saturday August 19.

The arrested persons have reportedly been identified as Rahim Alady (32), Sadique Pasha (35) and Saleha alias Swaleh (27).

While Saleha and Sadique are said to be from Hassan, Rahim is a resident of Uppinangady in Puttur taluk, sources said.

This takes the total number of arrests in the case to eight.

The police had earlier Popular Front of India (PFI) leader Khaleelulla from Chamarajanagar and Abdul Shafi from Bantwal, and followed it up with the arrest of Riyaz Paranki, Sadiq Nelyadi and Charamarajanagar resident Khaleem alias Khaleemullah.

Riyaz, Sadiq Nelyadi and Khaleem were arrested on August 16 on charges of helping the main accused and giving them shelter.

Sadique, Saleha and Rahim have also been arrested for helping the main accused, sources said.

The police are hunting for the prime accused in the case. Sources said that one of the prime accused is absconding abroad.

RSS worker Sharath Madivala was stabbed on the night of July 4 at BC Road. He died in a hospital two days later. The murder sparked several protests from right-wing groups and the BJP. His funeral procession witnessed stone-pelting resulting in injury and damage. The murder and the subsquent incidents took place despite Sec 144 being clamped in the district.