BRAHMAVARA: Rowdy-sheeter Sujith Pinto, 43, was allegedly murdered with an iron rod following a dispute over money in the Brahmavara police station limits of Udupi district on Wednesday night.
Police arrested the accused, identified as Pramod, an autorickshaw driver, in connection with the murder, Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar said.
Money dispute allegedly led to murder
According to the police, Sujith had allegedly failed to pay money owed to Pramod, who supplied household goods in an autorickshaw. The financial dispute reportedly escalated after Pramod asked Sujith to meet him.
Sujith allegedly went to the location, where the two men, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, became involved in a physical altercation.
During the confrontation, Pramod allegedly struck Sujith on the head with an iron rod, causing fatal injuries, police said.
Sujith was accused in previous murder cases
Police said Sujith had been named as an accused in several murder cases.
These included the 2018 murder of club owner Gurup Prasad Bhat in Manipal and the 2020 murder of Yogish Poojari in Lakshminagar, Tenkanidiyoor, within the Malpe police station limits.
The allegations in those cases are separate from the investigation into Sujith’s death.
Police begin investigation
Sujith had earlier lived in Santhekatte within the Malpe police station limits before moving to Brahmavara a few years ago.
Brahmavara police visited the scene and conducted an inspection. The investigation is underway to establish the full circumstances of the incident.
Police have arrested Pramod in connection with the case. Further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.