Udupi: A dispute over multi-crore pipeline and concrete road contracts being executed by Udupi Power Corporation Ltd (UPCL) in Yermal gram panchayat limits, coupled with a suspected underworld connection, allegedly led to the murder of former Mudarangady gram panchayat president David D’Souza, SP Hariram Shankar said Monday.
The three alleged shooters were reportedly hired for Rs 10 lakh. Hemanth, who had reportedly been underground for nearly 25 years, allegedly made internet calls to some UPCL officials and D’Souza, asking them to award the contract to Kishore. Anuj had allegedly introduced the sharpshooters to Kishore.
Police said money was credited to the accused soon after the murder. They have been arrested, police said. Police said fake number plates were fitted and the engine numbers altered to evade identification.
Police have arrested Uttar Pradesh native Raju, Maharashtra native Anmol Rastogi and Bihar native Jiyahul Wajul Sheikh, alias Deepak, in connection with the murder. Police are searching for the person who allegedly threatened the officials and D’Souza while identifying himself as Hemanth Poojary. Police teams travelled to several states during the investigation. Information from Gujarat Police helped investigators identify some of the accused, while the arrest of Suraj Kumar in Uttarakhand reportedly provided crucial information about Anuj. Police traced Anuj to Nipani in Belagavi district and arrested him. he allegedly attempted to escape on the pretext of going to urinate and attacked police personnel While being taken into custody. Investigators tracking the financial transactions also found the alleged involvement of Mohammed Irshad, Chirag Poojary, Sadanand Devadiga and Kishore. Police also examined the financial dealings of firms from Kerala and Punjab following reports of a business dispute involving D’Souza. The accused allegedly used two motorcycles to carry out the murder.