Udupi: Udupi district police have arrested three alleged contract killers in connection with the murder of former Mudarangadi Grama Panchayat president and Congress leader David D’Souza, who was shot dead at close range while getting into his four-wheeler at Pilaru on August 7.
Police suspect that the murder was linked to a financial dispute involving around Rs 2–3 crore. The investigation is now focused on identifying the person who allegedly ordered the killing and determining the exact circumstances surrounding the suspected financial dispute.
Udupi Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar shared details of the investigation at a press conference held at the SP’s office on August 8.
David D’Souza shot at close range
According to the SP, D’Souza was shot with a pistol at close range while he was getting into his vehicle.
Police said the assailants allegedly fired three times during the attack. The incident triggered an immediate investigation, with the Kaup circle inspector and sub-inspector examining CCTV footage from the surrounding areas.
Senior police officers, including Western Range Inspector General of Police Amit Singh, visited the crime scene and supervised the initial investigation.
“A FIR has been registered and the investigation is underway. A complaint was filed based on the statement of an employee who was an eyewitness to the incident,” SP Hariram Shankar said.
The eyewitness reportedly told police that the assailants were speaking Hindi.
Police launch district-wide search
Following the shooting, police immediately intensified surveillance across Udupi district.
Checkposts were established at several locations after investigators assessed the possible escape routes available to the accused. Police particularly monitored routes towards Byndoor, Mangaluru and Agumbe.
Checks were also conducted at Udupi and Kundapura railway stations as officers explored the possibility that the accused could attempt to leave the district by train.
Police alerted their counterparts in Uttara Kannada as well and established checkposts at Sirsi, Kumta and other locations. Several railway stations were also placed under surveillance.
The search operation eventually focused on Byndoor after information from bus operators indicated that the suspects had noticed police checkposts and had got down from a bus at different locations.
First accused caught in Byndoor
Based on information about a suspected person in the area, police conducted a search in Byndoor and apprehended the first accused, identified as Raju from Uttar Pradesh.
Police reportedly found a pistol and other weapons in his bag.
During the attempt to arrest Raju, PSI Tejaswi sustained injuries. Despite this, the police team managed to apprehend him and continued the search for the other suspects.
The operation subsequently extended into neighbouring Uttara Kannada district.
Two more accused arrested
The second and third accused were arrested early on August 8 from Bhatkal and Kumta, respectively.
Police identified the arrested accused as Raju, Ajay Rastogi alias Anmol, 23, a native of Uttarakhand, and Jiyahul Wajool Sheikh alias Deepak, 38, a native of Bihar.
According to the police, all three are professional criminals with multiple criminal cases registered against them in different states.
The preliminary records available with the police indicate that Raju has 26 criminal cases registered across five states, including cases related to murder and robbery.
Ajay Rastogi reportedly has eight cases registered across four states, while Jiyahul Wajool Sheikh has 12 cases.
Police are now examining the criminal backgrounds of the three accused and their previous activities to establish how they came together and who allegedly engaged them for the murder.
Police suspect contract killing
The preliminary investigation has led police to suspect that the murder was a contract killing arising from a financial dispute.
SP Hariram Shankar said police suspect that a person from North India who had a financial deal with D’Souza allegedly gave the contract for the murder.
The suspected dispute is believed to involve approximately Rs 2–3 crore.
Police are investigating the financial dealings between D’Souza and the suspected person from North India to establish the nature of the dispute and determine whether it directly led to the killing.
The SP also said that preliminary information indicated that around Rs 2 lakh had been transferred to the account of accused Raju.
However, police are continuing to investigate the financial trail and the alleged payment made in connection with the murder.
Motorcycle used in crime seized
Police have also seized the motorcycle allegedly used by the assailants.
The motorcycle was reportedly abandoned at Yermal after the crime.
Investigators found that the vehicle was carrying a fake registration number. According to police, the number plate actually belonged to a school bus.
The motorcycle and the pistol allegedly used in the shooting have been seized as part of the investigation.
The seized pistol reportedly has a capacity of 10 rounds.
Police are examining the weapon and other material evidence to establish the sequence of events and link the accused conclusively to the shooting.
Accused allegedly used multiple identities
The investigation has also revealed that the three accused allegedly carried multiple mobile phones and SIM cards.
According to police, each accused allegedly used around two to three mobile phones and three to four SIM cards and maintained multiple identities.
Investigators suspect that the accused may not have known each other’s actual names or identities.
This aspect of the investigation is being examined to determine how the alleged contract killers communicated with one another and how the murder was planned and executed.
Police are also studying their phone records and movements before and after the shooting.
Suspects had stayed in Udupi
Police believe the accused had been in the Udupi area before the murder.
According to the preliminary investigation, they allegedly came to Udupi around two months ago and stayed in the area for a period of time.
The SP also said the accused had allegedly arrived in Udupi about a week before the murder and stayed here before carrying out the attack.
Investigators are now looking into whether the suspects had received assistance from local persons during their stay.
Police are specifically probing the possibility that local individuals may have provided accommodation, transportation or other logistical support to the accused.
North India team probing financial angle
One police team has already travelled to North India as part of the investigation.
The team is working to identify the person who allegedly ordered the murder and establish the details of the financial dispute that may have led to the attack.
Police are also examining the possible involvement of a person connected with UPCL contract work in the alleged financial dispute.
Investigators are expected to examine financial records, communications and business dealings as part of efforts to establish the motive and identify the alleged mastermind.
The police have not yet disclosed the identity of the person suspected of ordering the killing.
More than 500 police personnel involved
The investigation has involved a large police operation across several districts.
SP Hariram Shankar said more than 500 police personnel from Udupi district have been involved in the investigation.
The deployment included personnel involved in checking roads, monitoring railway stations, examining CCTV footage, gathering intelligence and conducting searches across Udupi and neighbouring districts.
The rapid arrests followed the immediate establishment of checkposts and coordination between police teams in Udupi and Uttara Kannada.
Probe continues to identify mastermind
With three accused now in custody, the focus of the investigation has shifted towards establishing the complete chain behind the murder.
Police are seeking to determine who allegedly hired the shooters, how the financial dispute developed, who facilitated their stay in Udupi and whether anyone locally assisted them.
Investigators are also examining the role of the suspected North India-based person linked to the financial deal with D’Souza.
The arrests have provided police with an important breakthrough, but the investigation remains ongoing.
Authorities are continuing to piece together the financial, communication and logistical links surrounding the crime to establish the complete circumstances behind the killing of David D’Souza.