Sharath Shetty murder: Four accused arrested, underworld criminal invoved, say police

Udupi: Police officials have arrested four persons in connection with the Sharath Shetty murder case in Pangala.

The arrested accused have been identified asKulai residents Divesh Shetty (20) and Likith Kulal (21), Mangaluru resident Akash Karkera (25), and Surathkal resident Prasanna Shetty (40).

Sharath Shetty who was called on the pretext of having a discussion was stabbed to death at Pangala.

Following his murder, many were taken into custody for interrogation and the police had also gathered information about the background of Sharath Shetty.

The investigation has revealed an underworld connection in the murder case. The FIR said that the murder was commissioned by underworld criminal Kali Yogish. it is alleged that Kali Yogish contacted Divesh Shetty for executing the murder plan. Kali Yogish later asked Divesh to meet Yogish Acharya at Kapu, who gives out the details of the target and his whereabouts.

Later, Yogish Acharya visited Surathkal and paid Divesh money to carry out the killing, the FIR adds.

Divesh, along with Likith and Nagaraj, travelled to Kapu on February 3 to carry out the plan. They met Yogish Acharya for the same. However, they dropped the plan after failing to trace Sharath Shetty.

The plan was postponed to February 5 when a ‘Nema’ ritual was being organised. Divesh, Likith, and Nagaraj waited at Pangala with the weapons borrowed from Akash Karkera. Sharath who arrived at the spot had an altercation with Yogish Acharya, following which the four banded together and hacked him to death.

Yogish Archarya, who is the mastermind behind the crime, was reportedly furious after suffering humiliation in a land deal. He allegedly contacted Kali Yogish to exact revenge. Police said they are on a lookout for Yogish Acharya who is absconding.

Police have meanwhile confiscated the alleged murder weapons, the two-wheeler, Sharath mobile phone and other items from the accused.