Udupi: The investigation into the murder of former gram panchayat president and contractor David D’Souza has taken a dramatic turn, with police alleging that a dispute over a multi-crore infrastructure contract triggered the conspiracy to kill him.

Udupi Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar said on Monday that contractor Kishore Rama Poojary, who had previously worked with Adani Udupi Power Corporation Limited (UPCL), allegedly masterminded the plot after a pipeline and concrete road project at Yermal was awarded to D’Souza instead of him.

According to police, losing the project allegedly fuelled resentment against D’Souza and eventually led to a plan to eliminate him.

D’Souza was shot dead on August 7. During the investigation, police arrested Raju, Anmol Rastogi and Ziaul Sheikh, who are suspected of having directly participated in the shooting.

Intensive interrogation of Anmol and Ziaul allegedly helped investigators uncover the financial trail behind the murder. Police subsequently examined the bank accounts of the accused and identified transactions involving Mohammed Irshad, Chirag Poojary and Sadananda Devadiga. All three were later arrested.

The financial investigation eventually led police to contractor Kishore Anand Poojary of Ermal, who allegedly arranged the funds for the operation.

‘Underworld’ angle surfaces

The investigation also uncovered what police described as an alleged underworld connection.

According to the SP, UPCL officials had received calls pressuring them to award the project to Kishore. The caller allegedly invoked the name of Hemanth Poojary, Kishore’s brother, who has been in prison for around 25 years.

Police suspect that the person making the calls in Hemanth Poojary’s name was in contact with Irshad, Chirag, Sadananda and Kishore.

Investigators also found that Hemanth had been in contact with Anuj, who is suspected of coordinating the shooters.

Money trail leads investigators to more accused

Police also accused Suraj Kumar of supplying money to members of the alleged conspiracy.

Information obtained from Gujarat Police helped investigators identify some of the accused. Suraj’s arrest in Uttarakhand, meanwhile, reportedly provided crucial information about Anuj.

Police eventually traced Anuj to Belagavi. The SP said Anuj allegedly attempted to flee while being taken into custody and attacked police personnel.

According to the police, everyone identified so far in connection with the alleged financial transactions, conspiracy and execution of the shooting has been arrested.

However, investigators are yet to establish Hemanth Poojary’s exact role in the case.

Police suspect that the murder conspiracy had been in the making for around six months.

Shooters allegedly backed out over payment

Investigators have also uncovered details about the alleged plan to hire shooters.

Police said Anuj allegedly arranged for two shooters to carry out the killing. The two men reportedly travelled to the area but returned after the financial arrangements were not finalised.

Investigators have received information that the same two men were subsequently arrested by Gujarat Police in connection with another case. Their alleged involvement in the D’Souza murder, however, is yet to be established.

Police said approximately Rs 10 lakh had been earmarked as payment for the shooters.

Punjab contractor cleared of direct involvement

The SP also clarified that a contractor from Punjab was not directly involved in the murder, despite an initial suspicion of a Punjab connection.

Police examined financial transactions involving parties in Kerala and Punjab, as well as the company associated with D’Souza. So far, investigators have found no evidence linking the Punjab contractor to the financial transactions behind the alleged conspiracy.

Maharashtra prison meeting under scanner

The investigation also revealed that Anuj and another accused, Manoj, had met while both were lodged in a Maharashtra prison in 2016.

However, police said they have found no evidence so far to establish that the present murder conspiracy was conceived during that meeting.

The SP also said contractor Kishore Anand Poojary is facing two murder cases.

With the financial trail, alleged contract rivalry and suspected network of intermediaries now emerging, investigators are continuing to piece together the exact chain of events that culminated in D’Souza’s killing on August 7.