Businessman shot dead outside Karnataka's Kundapur church; 3 teams formed to nab accused

Udupi (Karnataka), July 31 (AHN) A 45-year-old businessman was shot dead in the early hours of Friday in front of Holy Rosary Church on Church Road in Kundapur in Udupi district in Karnataka, with police suspecting that financial and business-related disputes led to the murder.

The deceased has been identified as Ivan Richard Mascarenhas (45), a resident of Kachoor in Barkur, who was involved in several business ventures, including the prawn supply business. Police have identified the accused as Derek Crasta, who remains absconding. Three special teams have been constituted to trace and arrest him.

According to the police, the incident stemmed from an ongoing dispute over pending payments. Derek allegedly contacted Ivan over the phone at around 11.45 p.m. on July 30 regarding outstanding dues linked to their business dealings. During the conversation, Derek reportedly offered to mediate and help recover the money owed to Ivan.

However, the discussion allegedly escalated into a heated argument, during which Derek challenged Ivan to come alone to Kundapur. Police said the accused later shared his location with Ivan at around 1.30 a.m. on Friday.

Acting on the information, Ivan drove to Kundapur and parked his car on the concrete road opposite Holy Rosary Church on Church Road. A woman was reportedly with him in the vehicle.

At around 3.15 a.m., Derek allegedly arrived at the spot in a black-and-red Mahindra Thar SUV and stopped in front of Ivan's vehicle. As Ivan stepped out of his car, Derek allegedly opened fire using a handgun.

Police said Ivan sustained gunshot injuries below the waist, including injuries to his waist and leg. He collapsed on the road and died at the scene due to excessive blood loss before medical assistance could arrive.

The woman accompanying Ivan has reportedly identified the accused, providing investigators with a crucial lead in the case.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the murder was the result of financial transactions and other business-related differences between the accused and the deceased. Police are examining all angles, including the nature and extent of their business dealings.

Senior police officials, including Udupi Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar, Additional SP Sudhakar Nayak, Deputy Superintendent of Police H.D. Kulkarni, Kundapur Town Police Inspector Jayaram Gowda, and Police Sub-Inspectors Nanja Nayak, Pushpa, and Anoop Nayak, visited the crime scene.

The Scene of Crime Officer (SOCO) team also inspected the spot and collected evidence as part of the investigation.

A case has been registered at the Kundapur police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act. Police said three special teams are working to trace Derek Crasta, who remains on the run. Further investigation is on.