The Udupi City Police on Friday arrested five persons in Yellapur, Uttara Kannada district, in connection with a murderous assault involving a sword near PPC Cross.
The accused have been identified as Akshat Pai (27) of Kunjibettu, Sushant (25) of Shivalli, Ramananda Pai (42) of Udupi, Santosh Koraga (38) of Uppoor, and Shashank Nayak (25) of Alevoor.
Altercation escalated into violent attack
The victim, Sharath Kundar, had gone for dinner at a hotel in Manipal on January 30, 2026. During the visit, a minor altercation reportedly broke out between him and the accused over accidental physical contact.
Police said that nursing a grudge, the prime accused Akshat Pai later contacted Sharath under the pretext of a compromise and asked him to meet near PPC Cross.
At around 11.30 pm, while Sharath was speaking with friends at the location, the accused allegedly arrived in a Tata Safari and a Mahindra Thar and launched a sudden attack. They are said to have abused him and assaulted him with a sword and iron chairs.
In an attempt to defend himself, Sharath sustained serious injuries to his right palm, middle finger and left wrist. When his friends raised an alarm, the attackers allegedly issued life threats and fled the scene. He was immediately shifted to a private hospital for treatment.
Special team tracks accused
Following the registration of a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), a special team led by the station house officer traced the absconding accused to Yellapur and arrested them.
Police have seized a Hyundai Venue car valued at approximately ₹8 lakh and two mobile phones allegedly used in the commission of the crime. The accused will be produced before the competent court for further proceedings.
Further investigation is underway.