Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Nov 4: In a major breakthrough in the extortion cases involving underworld operative Hemanth Poojary, Shirva police have arrested a 45-year-old man for allegedly assisting the gangster by supplying mobile phone numbers of wealthy businessmen in Udupi district.

According to the police, following the murder of David D’Souza of Mudarangady, underworld operative Hemanth Poojary allegedly began targeting businessmen and entrepreneurs operating within the jurisdictions of Padubidri, Manipal, Kaup and Shirva police stations.

He reportedly contacted them using international phone numbers, demanding crores of rupees and threatening to kill them in the same manner as David D’Souza if they failed to pay the demanded amount.

A total of eight cases have been registered at the respective police stations in connection with the extortion attempts and life-threatening calls.

During the investigation into a case registered at Shirva police station, the police traced the involvement of Harish Poojary (45), a resident of Santoor village. He allegedly supplied Hemanth Poojary with mobile phone numbers of wealthy individuals, including that of the complainant in the Shirva case, thereby facilitating the extortion attempt.

During interrogation, Harish Poojary reportedly confessed to having assisted Hemanth Poojary by sharing the complainant’s mobile phone number.

He was arrested on November 2, 2026.

The police seized two mobile phones allegedly used in connection with the crime. The accused was subsequently produced before the jurisdictional court.