Udupi: Udupi police have arrested three persons in connection with the murder of businessman and former gram panchayat president David D’Souza at Mudarangadi in Kaup taluk. One of the accused sustained injuries after police allegedly opened fire in self-defence while attempting to apprehend him.D’Souza, who operated Prince Enterprises from an office in the St Xavier’s Church complex at Mudarangadi, was shot dead around 3.45pm Friday.According to police, D’Souza had visited his office and was getting into his vehicle when two men arrived on a motorcycle. One of them allegedly shot him in the head with a pistol before fleeing. He was rushed to a private hospital in Udupi, where doctors declared him dead.Shirva police registered a case under sections 103 and 3(5) of BNS and sections 3 and 25 of the Arms Act.SP Hariram Shankar said the suspects were traced to a bus intercepted at Ottine in Byndoor. As police moved in to arrest them, the accused allegedly attempted to escape, triggering a chase.During the pursuit, one of the suspects, Raju, 42, of Thana Pilwa in Uttar Pradesh, allegedly pushed PSI Tejaswi and opened fire with a pistol. Police returned fire, injuring Raju in the leg, before arresting him and seizing the weapon. He was admitted to hospital for treatment. Investigators suspect Raju was the gunman who shot D’Souza.Following the incident, Byndoor police registered a separate case against Raju on charges of attempting to murder police personnel and obstructing public servants in the discharge of their duties.The two other suspects who fled from the bus were later tracked down and arrested with the assistance of local police. Ajay Rastogi alias Anmol, 23, a resident of Uttarakhand, was arrested in Kumta, while Jiahul Wazul Sheikh alias Deepak, 38, from Bihar, was detained in Bhatkal on Saturday morning.PSI Tejaswi, who sustained injuries during the operation, is undergoing treatment at the Udupi district hospital. Police also recovered the motorcycle allegedly used in the murder. Investigators said the assailants had abandoned the vehicle at Yermal after the crime.Preliminary investigations point to a financial dispute between D’Souza and a company based outside Karnataka over work undertaken by him. Police suspect the killing may have been carried out on contract.According to the SP, David D’Souza had about 14 cases registered against him, most arising from protests and agitations during the establishment of the Nagarjuna power plant, now operated by Adani UPCL. A civil engineering contractor, D’Souza was reportedly involved in supplying contract labour and staff to the plant. He was also accused of brandishing a pistol and threatening protesters, following which the firearm was seized.In 2020, a case of abetment to suicide was registered against him. D’Souza had also been placed on a rowdy sheet. However, the SP said police were verifying whether he remained on the active rowdy list, noting that his last major case before the 2020 case dated back to 2014.Police also said that Raju has around 17 cases registered against him in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi. Akash alias Anmol Rastogi has around eight cases registered against him in Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra and other states. Jiahul Wazul Sheikh is reportedly involved in around 12 cases registered in various states.Police added that they will visit the states where these cases were registered to collect further details and verify the information.Meanwhile, efforts are under way to identify and apprehend those who allegedly commissioned the murder, aided the assailants, or provided them shelter.The police operation was led by DySP Belliappa KU. The team included inspectors Azmath Ali, Harish, Shivakumar, Santosh Kaikini, PSIs Mahesh, Tejaswi, Manjunath Marabada, Vinay, Prasanna MS, Shakthivel, Anil, Lohith Kumar and probationary PSI Shifaz.
