D’Souza’s murder was a supari killing over financial dispute, saysHariram Shankar
Police in Udupi have arrested three suspects in connection with the murder of contractor David D’Souza, citing a financial dispute over a power project contract. The investigation suggests a 'supari' (contract) killing involving individuals with extensive criminal histories across multiple states.
Why it matters
The case underscores the intersection of organized crime and industrial contract disputes in regional infrastructure projects.
Udupi Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar on Saturday said preliminary probe into Friday’s murder of David D’Souza in Mudarangadi revealed that financial dealings related to Udupi Power Corporation Ltd., (UPCL) contracts were the main reason for the murder.
Speaking to reporters after the arrest of the three accused allegedly involved in shooting Mr. D’Souza at Udupi, the SP said more than ₹2 lakh was paid into the bank account of Accused No. 1, Raju, who allegedly shot the victim. A probe is on into the source of this money and those who paid.
Mr. Shankar said the victim was a contractor and there was a dispute between him and another contractor regarding a ₹2 crore to ₹3 crore contract. It is suspected that a person from North India had offered supari to get him killed. The SP said that a special team was already working to find that person.
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