Udupi police have arrested Lokesh Tej Kottari, the ninth suspect in the high-profile murder of former Mudarangadi Gram Panchayat president David D’Souza. The arrest reveals deep-rooted conspiracies involving modified vehicles and hired assassins.

  • Lokesh Tej Kottari has been arrested for his involvement in the David D’Souza murder case.
  • A total of nine suspects have been apprehended by the Udupi police so far.
  • The accused provided modified motorcycles with erased chassis numbers to the assailants.
  • The murder was allegedly motivated by a grudge over a road construction contract.

MANGALURU, Karnataka: In a significant development in the investigation of the murder of former Mudarangadi Gram Panchayat president David D’Souza, the Udupi police have arrested 42-year-old Lokesh Tej Kottari. This arrest marks the ninth breakthrough in the case, which has sent shockwaves through the Udupi district.

The Conspiracy and the 'Supari' Connection

According to official police reports, the murder was a premeditated act orchestrated due to a professional grudge. Kishore Ram Poojary, who allegedly lost a road construction contract to the deceased, is believed to have hired assassins to carry out the killing. The investigation revealed that Kottari, a resident of Yedtare village, had developed a friendship with Poojary while working in Mumbai, leading to his involvement in the criminal plot.

Read Also:Supreme Court Issues Notice to Centre and CBI Over Cockroach Party Activities

Kottari played a crucial logistical role by providing motorcycles to the assailants, Anmol Rastogi and Raju. To evade detection, Kottari had intentionally modified the vehicles, erasing the original engine and chassis numbers using specialized machinery. The police have successfully seized the mobile phones and the equipment used to tamper with the vehicle identification numbers.

The Violent Attack and Police Encounter

The incident occurred on August 7, near St. Francis Xavier Church in Pilar. As D’Souza was about to board his jeep parked in front of his office, Prince Enterprises, the assailant Raju launched a fatal attack. During the subsequent pursuit, the situation escalated when the suspect Raju opened fire on a police Sub-Inspector. In the ensuing encounter, the police shot at Raju to prevent his escape, subsequently taking him into custody after medical discharge.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this case highlights a disturbing trend of contract-related violence and organized crime in regional politics. The sophistication of the crime—including the use of 'supari' (contract killing) and the technical tampering of vehicles—suggests a level of planning that poses a challenge to local law enforcement.

The systematic erasure of vehicle identification numbers indicates a calculated attempt to bypass modern forensic tracking.

The police have also detained several others, including Mohammed Irshad, Chiraj Poojary, and Sadananda Devadiga, for allegedly financing the hitmen. The investigation continues to unravel the full extent of the criminal network involved.

Did You Know?: Tampering with a vehicle's chassis number is a serious criminal offense that can lead to additional heavy sentencing under motor vehicle laws.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: What was the motive behind the murder of David D’Souza?
Answer: The primary motive appears to be a grudge held by Kishore Ram Poojary following the loss of a road construction contract.

Question 2: How many people have been arrested in this case so far?
Answer: As of the latest update, the Udupi police have arrested a total of nine individuals.