Udupi Congress leader shot dead: How did UP-based shooters fall into police trap?
New Delhi: Coastal Karnataka has been shaken by yet another shooting incident, with two shootouts reported within a week. In the latest incident, David D’Souza, a former president of the Mudrangady gram panchayat and a Congress leader, was shot dead in broad daylight in the busy Mudrangady area of Udupi district.
The killing, which was captured on CCTV, unfolded in a dramatic manner and has raised questions about a possible contract killing linked to a long-running business dispute.
What happened?
The incident took place at around 3:45 pm, when the Mudrangady area was crowded with residents, shopkeepers and schoolchildren returning home.
D’Souza had just stepped out of his office and was about to get into his newly purchased white Thar vehicle when an armed assailant approached him.
CCTV footage from the church gate reportedly captured the shooting. The attacker allegedly fired directly at D’Souza’s forehead, causing him to collapse immediately. Two more shots were reportedly fired at him after he fell.
Of the five rounds allegedly fired, three reportedly missed while two struck D’Souza.
His assistant, who was accompanying him, was also threatened at gunpoint. The attacker then reportedly escaped on a motorcycle with another accomplice who was waiting nearby. Police suspect that a third person also played an indirect role in the operation.
People who witnessed the incident rushed to help D’Souza and took him to a hospital in Shirva. He was later shifted to a private hospital in Udupi in an attempt to save his life.
However, he died before he could receive further treatment.
His wife and children, who live in Shirva, rushed to the hospital. Several local Congress leaders also arrived.
Former minister and senior Congress leader Vinay Kumar Sorake, who is associated with the Kaup constituency where Mudrangady is located, was reportedly with the family and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible.
D’Souza’s body was subsequently shifted to Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, for a post-mortem examination.
Who was David D’Souza?
D’Souza was an active Congress politician and had served as a rural Congress office-bearer in the Kaup taluk. He had also served as president of the Mudrangady gram panchayat when Congress was in power there.
He was considered an influential figure in the local Christian community and was known for supporting party activities financially. As panchayat president, he was also involved in several local development initiatives.
However, D’Souza also had a controversial side. Police records reportedly show **21 criminal cases** against him, including 16 cases registered at Padubidri police station and five at Shirva police station.
Many of the Padubidri cases were reportedly related to alleged threats during protests connected to a thermal power project in the region. In one case, he had reportedly been arrested and sent to jail before being released on bail.
One of the most controversial cases linked to D’Souza dates back to October 2019, when priest Mahesh D’Souza died by suicide inside the principal’s office of Don Bosco College in Manchakal.
The death triggered widespread anger within the local Christian community. Police subsequently alleged that David D’Souza had threatened the priest shortly before his death over repeated calls to his wife.
A case alleging abetment to suicide was registered, and D’Souza was arrested before being released on bail.
From ‘Prince David’ to a controversial political figure
Locally known as “Prince David,” D’Souza was also known for his flamboyant lifestyle and business interests.
Local accounts suggest that he had accumulated considerable wealth after working abroad and later returning to his hometown. He reportedly built a large bungalow under the “Prince” brand, ran a bus business and financially supported local auto-rickshaw drivers who used the name.
At the same time, he was known for his involvement in local political and environmental disputes.
Was the killing linked to a business dispute?
Investigators are reportedly examining whether D’Souza’s murder was linked to a financial dispute involving a major power plant contract.
According to the emerging theory, a businessman from North India had secured a large contract connected to **UPCL’s thermal power plant** and had allegedly entrusted part of the work to D’Souza.
Although the work was reportedly completed, a dispute allegedly arose over payment involving several crores of rupees. The disagreement subsequently escalated.
Investigators suspect that D’Souza may have taken control of assets worth several crores belonging to the businessman following the dispute. He had allegedly threatened the businessman, leading police to examine the possibility that the businessman hired contract killers to eliminate him.
The exact motive and the identity of the person who allegedly commissioned the killing are still under investigation.
Police have arrested three men suspected of being directly involved in the shooting.
Acting on information that the suspects were travelling towards Bhatkal by bus, police intercepted the vehicle near Ottinene in Byndoor.
During the operation, one suspect allegedly attempted to escape after getting off the bus. According to police, Raju, 42, from Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh, pushed Kaup police PSI Tejaswi and allegedly opened fire at the police.
Police reportedly fired at his leg in self-defence and arrested him. A pistol was also recovered from his possession.
PSI Tejaswi sustained injuries during the exchange of fire and is undergoing treatment at Udupi District Hospital. Raju is also being treated as an inpatient.
The other two suspects were subsequently arrested with the assistance of local police:
Ajay Rastogi alias Anmol, 23, from Uttarakhand, was arrested in Kumta and Ziaul Wazul Sheikh alias Deepak, 38, from Bihar, was arrested in Bhatkal.
Investigators suspect that the three alleged shooters had been brought to Udupi around four months before the murder.
According to the investigation, the three men did not know each other and had reportedly never met before. They were allegedly given the assignment to kill D’Souza only **two days before the shooting**, along with his photograph.
They are then suspected of having worked together to track and kill him.
Police are now investigating who allegedly commissioned the contract killing and the exact financial links behind the murder.
‘Prince David’ also remembered for helping people
Despite the controversies surrounding him, D’Souza was also remembered by supporters and local residents for his social work.
His supporters said he regularly helped people in financial difficulty and was known to respond even to emergency calls late at night. He reportedly helped poor families with wedding expenses, supported auto-rickshaw drivers and participated in community initiatives.
He was also involved in promoting communal harmony and was credited by supporters with helping organise public Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in the area.
Wife demands severe punishment
D’Souza’s wife, Priya David, said his death had come as a complete shock to the family.
She said her husband had followed his usual routine on the day of the incident and had not discussed any business-related problems with the family.
Expressing relief over the swift police action, she demanded strict punishment for everyone involved in the murder conspiracy.
“My husband worked extensively for the development of the area as a businessman and politician. His death has left us devastated,” she said.
The killing of David D’Souza has left Mudrangady in shock, with the investigation now focused on the alleged financial dispute, the suspected contract killing and the person who may have ordered the attack.