The police on Saturday arrested two more associates of underworld operative Ravi Poojary and Khali Yogish who had allegedly planned to eliminate two builders of the city.
Police Commissioner R. Hithendra said the arrested persons – Subramanya (27) of Kolar, who was presently staying in Bejai, and Kiran (30), a resident of Marigudi – were planning to create a scare among the builder community.
The Commissioner said the duo had been paid Rs. 2.5 lakh for the murders. Three country-made pistols, 17 live bullets and two mobile phones were recovered from the accused duo. Police also recovered Rs. 1.5 lakh that was paid to the duo for carrying out the murders.
“The two builders, however, have not filed complaints about the threats they had received from the underworld operatives,” Mr. Hithendra said.
Mr. Hithendra said there were about five groups associated with the underworld operatives were trying to establish dominance.
“It is not Ravi Poojary alone who is active. Other underworld operatives are also on our radar,” he said. In the last few weeks, the city police have arrested as many as 10 alleged associates of Poojary and Yogish.
Subramanya was among the accused arrested in connection with the murder of advocate Noushad Kashimji in 2009.
In 2011, Subramanya was arrested along with one Taranath Kulal by the Mangalore North police while they were receiving Rs. 1 lakh reportedly on the instructions of Poojary. He was also involved in attempting to kidnap a businessman for the latter’s failure to pay ransom to Poojary in Mulky police station limits.
He was also reportedly involved in arranging finance for the murder of underworld operative Bejai Raja in 2012.
The police said Kiran was arrested for his alleged involvement in the murder of Nagesh Poojary in 2011 and also in the murder of Bejai Raja.
