David D’Souza Murder Case: Financial Dispute Suspected Behind Murder
During the arrest operation, police shot the prime accused, identified as Raju, in the leg after he allegedly opened fire at the police and attempted to escape.
Udupi: Police have launched a swift operation in connection with the murder of businessman David D’Souza, who was shot dead in Mudrangadi, Kapu taluk. Three accused persons have been taken into custody. David D’Souza Murder Case: Financial Dispute Suspected Behind Murder.
During the arrest operation, police shot the prime accused, identified as Raju, in the leg after he allegedly opened fire at the police and attempted to escape. The incident took place at around 3:45 pm on August 7, 2026, at the St. Xavier Church complex in Mudrangadi. David D’Souza operated his business office, ‘Prince Enterprises’, from the same complex.
According to police, after arriving at his office, David was walking towards the driver-side door of his Thar vehicle when an unidentified assailant, who had arrived on a motorcycle, allegedly fired a pistol at his head.
David sustained serious injuries and was immediately rushed to Adarsh Hospital in Udupi for treatment. However, after examining him, doctors declared him dead. In connection with the incident, Shirva Police registered a case under Crime No. 66/2026 under Sections 103 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 3 and 25 of the Arms Act.
Accused Were travelling to Bhatkal by Bus:
During the investigation, police received credible information that three persons directly involved in the crime were travelling by bus towards Bhatkal. Acting on the information, a police team intercepted the bus at Ottinane near Byndoor and began checking the passengers.
As soon as the bus was stopped, the three accused allegedly got down and attempted to flee. While pursuing them, one of the accused, identified as Raju, 42, a native of Thanah Pilwa in Uttar Pradesh, allegedly pushed Kapu Police Station PSI Tejaswi to the ground and fired at the officer with a pistol before attempting to escape.
Police then opened fire in self-defence, shooting Raju in the leg. He was subsequently apprehended, and the pistol allegedly found in his possession was also seized.
According to police, Raju is the main accused who allegedly shot and killed David D’Souza. A separate case has been registered at Byndoor Police Station in connection with the alleged attack on the police officer, including charges related to attempt to murder and obstruction of a public servant in the discharge of duty.
Two More Accused Taken into Custody:
The other two accused who had allegedly attempted to flee were also taken into custody. Ajay Rastogi alias Anmol, 23, was apprehended in Kumta with the assistance of the Kumta police, while Jiyahul Wajool Sheikh alias Deepak, 38, was taken into custody in Bhatkal with the assistance of the Bhatkal police.
Police have taken all three accused into custody and are continuing their investigation into the case. PSI Tejaswi of Kapu Police Station sustained injuries while attempting to apprehend the accused. He is currently undergoing treatment at Udupi District Hospital.
The injured accused Raju is also admitted to Udupi District Hospital and is receiving treatment for the gunshot wound to his leg. Meanwhile, police have seized the motorcycle allegedly used by the accused to carry out the crime. The motorcycle had reportedly been abandoned at Ermal after the incident.
Financial Dispute Suspected Behind Murder:
According to the preliminary investigation, David D’Souza had allegedly developed a financial dispute with an out-of-state company in connection with a project he was undertaking. Police suspect that the dispute may have led to a contract being given to eliminate him.
Investigators are now working to identify those who allegedly assisted in the crime, provided financial support to the accused or sheltered them. Police are also probing the wider network and the possible conspiracy behind the murder.
The operation was carried out under the leadership of Udupi District Deputy Superintendent of Police Belliyappa. Kapu Circle Inspector Azmath Ali G, DSB Inspector Harish, Byndoor Circle Inspector Shivakumar and Kundapur Circle Inspector Santosh Kaykini were among the officers involved.
Byndoor PSI Mahesh, Kapu PSI Tejaswi, Shirva PSI Manjunath Marabad, Kollur PSI Vinay, Karkala Rural PSI Prasanna M.S, Padubidri PSI Shaktivel and Anil, Shirva PSI Lohith Kumar, Probationary PSI Shifaz and other police personnel played key roles in the operation.
Police teams from Bhatkal and Kumta, along with district crime investigation officials, fingerprint experts, the dog squad and the Udupi CDR Cell, also assisted in the investigation. With the swift arrest of the three key accused, police have intensified their probe into the alleged contract killing, the financial dispute and the individuals who may have provided logistical, financial or other support to the accused.
