Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Aug 8: Three persons allegedly involved in the murder of businessman David D’Souza at Mudrangadi in Kaup taluk have been arrested. One of the accused was shot in the leg after allegedly firing at police during an escape attempt.
The arrested are identifed as Raju (42) from Uttar Pradesh, Ajay Rastogi alias Anmol (23) from Uttarakhand and Jiyahul Wajool Sheikh alias Deepak (38) from Bihar.
The incident occurred on August 7 around 3:45 pm at the St Xavier Church complex in Mudrangadi. D’Souza, who operated Prince Enterprises from the complex, had returned to his Thar vehicle after visiting his office when two persons allegedly arrived on a motorcycle. One of them reportedly fired a pistol at his head.
D’Souza was rushed to Adarsha Hospital, Udupi, where doctors declared him dead.
Shirva police registered a case under Sections 103 and 3(5) of the BNS and Sections 3 and 25 of the Arms Act.
During the investigation, police received information that three accused were travelling by bus towards Bhatkal. The bus was intercepted at Ottinane near Byndoor.
The accused allegedly fled after getting down from the bus. Police chased them, during which one of them, Raju, allegedly pushed Kaup PSI Tejaswi and fired at him with a pistol.
Police fired in self-defence, hitting Raju in the leg. He was apprehended along with the pistol.
The other accused, Ajay Rastogi alias Anmol and Jiyahul Wajool Sheikh alias Deepak, were arrested in Kumta and Bhatkal respectively with the assistance of local police.
PSI Tejaswi and the injured accused are undergoing treatment at Udupi District Hospital.
Police also seized the motorcycle allegedly used in the murder, which was abandoned at Ermal.
Financial dispute suspected
Police suspect that D’Souza was killed as part of a supari killing arising from a financial dispute with an out-of-state company connected to a project he was handling.
The investigation is underway to identify those who allegedly provided the accused with financial assistance, shelter and other support.
The operation was conducted under the leadership of Udupi DySP Belliyappa, with teams from Kaup, Shirva, Byndoor, Kundapur, Kollur, Karkala Rural and Padubidri police stations, along with Bhatkal and Kumta police, DSB, fingerprint and dog squads, the District Crime Investigation Unit and Udupi CDR cell.
Further investigation is underway.