Daijiworld Media Network–Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Aug 21: Police have arrested another accused in connection with the murder of Prince Enterprises owner David D’Souza, who was shot dead at Mudrangady in Kaup taluk on August 7.
D’Souza was shot at around 3.45 pm at the St Xavier Church complex in Mudrangady. According to police, two persons arrived at the spot on a motorcycle, following which the pillion rider allegedly shot D’Souza in the head with a pistol.
The Shirva police had earlier arrested Anmol Rastogi and Ziyahul Vazul Sheikh alias Deepak, who are alleged to have been directly involved in the murder. They were subsequently produced before the court.
Police had also arrested Mohammed Irshad, Chirag Poojary, Sadananda Devadiga and Kishore Rama Poojary for allegedly conspiring with the other accused to execute the murder and providing financial assistance.
Meanwhile, police have arrested another accused, identified as Lokesh Teja Kothari, 42, a resident of Yedtare village in Byndoor taluk.
According to police, Lokesh had previously worked in Mumbai, where he became acquainted with Kishore Rama Poojary. Police allege that Lokesh provided motorcycles to Anmol Rastogi and Raju and conspired with the other accused to carry out the murder.
The first accused, Raju, has reportedly been taken into custody in connection with an attempt-to-murder case registered at Byndoor police station involving government employees. He is also being questioned as part of the investigation into the Mudrangady murder.
A team of Karkala-Padubidri police, deployed on special duty to trace the accused, detained Lokesh at Yedtare in Byndoor. He was subsequently produced before the investigating officer and formally arrested on August 21.
As part of the investigation, police have seized mobile phones allegedly used in the crime, along with a machine reportedly used to erase the engine and chassis numbers of a motorcycle.
Further investigation is under way to establish the roles of the accused and uncover more details surrounding the murder.