Udupi, Aug 8: Three men from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Bihar have been arrested in connection with the murder of businessman and Congress leader David D’Souza at Mudrangadi in Kaup taluk, with police shooting one of the accused in the leg after he allegedly opened fire at an officer while trying to escape.

The three arrested have been identified as Raju, 42, from Uttar Pradesh; Ajay Rastogi alias Anmol, 23, from Uttarakhand; and Jiyahul Wajool Sheikh alias Deepak, 38, from Bihar.

D’Souza was shot dead at around 3:45 pm on August 7 at the St Xavier Church complex in Mudrangadi. He had reportedly returned to his Thar after visiting his office, Prince Enterprises, when two men arrived on a motorcycle. One of them allegedly fired a pistol at D’Souza’s head before the duo fled the scene.

He was immediately taken to Adarsha Hospital in Udupi, where doctors declared him dead.

Shirva police subsequently registered a case under Sections 103 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 3 and 25 of the Arms Act.

Police intercept bus

As the investigation progressed, police received information that three suspects were travelling by bus towards Bhatkal. A police team intercepted the bus at Ottinane near Byndoor.

The suspects allegedly got off the bus and attempted to flee. During the pursuit, Raju is alleged to have pushed Kaup PSI Tejaswi and fired a pistol at him.

Police then opened fire in self-defence, hitting Raju in the leg. He was taken into custody along with the pistol.

The other two suspects were subsequently traced and arrested with the assistance of local police. Ajay Rastogi alias Anmol was arrested in Kumta, while Jiyahul Wajool Sheikh alias Deepak was apprehended in Bhatkal.

Both Raju and PSI Tejaswi are undergoing treatment at Udupi District Hospital.

Police have also recovered the motorcycle allegedly used by the assailants in the murder. The vehicle had reportedly been abandoned at Ermal.

Financial dispute angle

Investigators suspect that D’Souza’s killing may have been a contract killing linked to a financial dispute involving an out-of-state company and a project he was handling.

Police are now probing the alleged network behind the murder, including those suspected of arranging financial support, accommodation and other assistance for the accused.

The operation involved police teams from Kaup, Shirva, Byndoor, Kundapur, Kollur, Karkala Rural and Padubidri, along with personnel from Bhatkal and Kumta police stations. The District Special Branch, fingerprint and dog squads, District Crime Investigation Unit and Udupi CDR cell also assisted in the operation.

Further investigation is underway.