Udupi: 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.

The latest accused has been identified as Lokesh Teja Kothari, 42, a resident of Yedtare village in Byndoor taluk. Police allege that he provided motorcycles to some of the accused and conspired with them in the execution of the murder.

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 location on a motorcycle, following which the pillion rider allegedly shot D’Souza in the head with a pistol.

Earlier arrests in the case

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 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.

The investigation was subsequently expanded to identify others who may have assisted the alleged perpetrators before and after the shooting.

Lokesh allegedly supplied motorcycles

According to police, Lokesh had previously worked in Mumbai, where he became acquainted with Kishore Rama Poojary, another accused in the case.

Investigators allege that Lokesh provided motorcycles to Anmol Rastogi and Raju and was involved in the conspiracy to carry out the murder.

A special team comprising Karkala-Padubidri police personnel had been deployed to trace the accused. Acting on the investigation, the team detained Lokesh at Yedtare in Byndoor.

He was later produced before the investigating officer and formally arrested on August 21.

Raju also under investigation

Police said 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.

Investigators are also questioning him as part of the probe into the Mudrangady murder.

Police are examining the alleged links between the accused and attempting to establish how the conspiracy was planned and executed.

Devices and motorcycle equipment seized

As part of the investigation, police have seized mobile phones allegedly used in connection with the crime.

Investigators have also seized a machine reportedly used to erase the engine and chassis numbers of a motorcycle. Police are examining whether the equipment was used to conceal the identity of vehicles allegedly involved in the crime.

The seizure of the devices and equipment is expected to assist investigators in establishing communication links between the accused and tracing the movements of the vehicles used in the alleged murder.

Probe continues

The arrest of Lokesh takes the number of accused persons arrested in connection with the case further up, while investigators continue to examine the alleged roles of each person.

Police are now working to establish the sequence of events leading to D’Souza’s killing, the alleged motive behind the murder and the extent of involvement of those accused of providing logistical or financial support.

Further investigation is under way to uncover additional details surrounding the murder and identify whether more people were involved.