Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore (GA)

•  Dharmendra Shetty of "Shetty Traders" is the Lynch-pin
•  Four College Students Among the Arrested

Mangalore, Jan 17: In a major step towards curbing the underworld shadows looming large over the city, the district Anti-Rowdy Squad has arrested 7 accomplices of a Middle East-based underworld don.  The police have seized 6 mobile handsets and 3 cars from the arrested.

The arrested have been identified as Dharmendra Shetty of "Shetty Traders" on Milagres Cross Road, Sandip Shetty of Kolya, Vishalraj (18) of Tokkottu, Sinto Jacob (20), Shalli (20), Shabi Thomas (20) of Kerala and Deepak Raj (27) of Ballalbagh.  Dharmendra Shetty is said to be the lynch-pin as he was link between the underworld don and his accomplice.

Dharmendra used to provide vehicles and even personnel for the illegal activities of the underworld don.  He was introduced to the said underworld don by one David alias Asif of Kerala.  Dharmendra had arranged vehicle to David for the murder attempt on a noted entrepreneur of the city in June 2005 and had also arranged vehicle to the men who attacked John Lewis of Brahmavar in December 2005.  Dharmendra is said to have also arranged personnel and vehicle to David who had attacked one Irvin Pinto in mid December in the city.

He has now been handed over to Pandeshwar police who in turn have already produced him before the court.

But an alarming aspect which has come to the fore, is the involvement of college students in the underworld activities.  The arrested Vishalraj is a second year B Com student in a city college, while Sinto Jacob is a final year BCA student in another college here.  Shalli is doing his second year BCA in the city while Shabi Thomas is a third year B Sc nursing student in one of the prestigious colleges of the city.

While Vishalraj is accused of attack on Irvin Pinto, Sinto Jacob is accused of attack on the owner of an electronics shop in the city.  Shabi is said to have been involved in attack on John Lewis of Brahmavar and Shalli is accused in attacks Irvin Pinto and John Lewis.

All the arrested have been produced in court.  The police are now on a hunt to nab the prime accused David alias Asif.