4 held for Rohi's murder

MANGALORE: Police have arrested four persons in connection with the Vamanjur Rohi alias Rohidas Shetty murder case.
Dakshina Kannada SP A S Rao said the police arrested Sampath Bhandary (30), Dhanaraj Poojary alias Dhanu (26), Santhosh Kottari (23)and Krishnappa Salian (59) from Surathkal on Thursday. The police suspected the involvement of 12 persons in the murder and formed a special team to nab them, Rao said adding that the police will issue a red corner notice for underworld person Vishwanath Koraga Shetty and his associate Nikhil Shetty.
Police recovered a revolver, four sharp weapons, three cellphones, a two- wheeler and a four-wheeler from the arrested persons. Rao said Vishwanath Shetty had planned Rohi's murder as he had plans to extend his underworld activities in Mangalore and appointed Nikhil for this task.
Nikhil came to Manipal and gave Rs 1 lakh, a revolver and six live bullets to one Bhaskar alias Bachu to kill Rohi. Bhaskar gave Rs 35,000 and the revolver to Sampath who contacted Dhanaraj, an accused in a murder case in Bejai in 2006, and discussed the murder plan. Dhanaraj roped in Santhosh Kottari, an acquaintance.
Meanwhile, Rohi was residing at the house of Krishnappa Salian who wanted to get rid of him. Krishnappa discussed this with Santhosh who agreed to help them kill Rohi.
On the night of July 4, Krishnappa's sister-in-law Shalini laced Rohi's food with sleeping pills. After Rohi fell asleep, she SMSed Santhosh. Santhosh and his associates went to Krishnappa's house and assaulted the sleeping Rohi with sharp weapons. Krishanappa then rushed Rohi to a private hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.