Udupi police arrest two absconding murder accused

Chetan Padil
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Acting on the information given by the public, the Udupi Police have arrested murder accused Manoj Kodikere alias Manoj Kulal and Chetan alias Chetu Padil, who were absconding.

In a statement, the police said they were on the lookout for Manoj and Chetan in connection with the kidnapping of Tejas, the son of a businessman N. Mohandas Shetty, in front of a hotel in Brahmavar taluk on November 19, 2025. They were accused of demanding ransom of ₹3 crore for release of Tejas.

The Kota police registered the case under 140 (1) (kidnapping), 308(4) (extortion) and 112 (organised crime) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The police invoked provisions of the Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act against the accused. The police had announced a reward of ₹50,000 to persons who gave information about the absconding accused.

The police arrested Chetan on April 30, while Manoj was arrested on Thursday. Udupi Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar said a reward has been given to the two informants.

Manoj is accused in 19 criminal cases registered in Udupi district and Mangaluru city police limits, which include three murder cases, five attempt to murder cases, 10 assault cases and one kidnapping case.

Chetan was accused in a total of 13 criminal cases in Mangaluru city, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada district police limits. It includes two cases each of murder and attempt to murder, six assault, two cases of narcotic drug consumption and one case of kidnap, the police said.