Mangaluru : The city police arrested two persons allegedly involved in the murder of 51-year-old RTI activist Vinayak Baliga on March 21.

Police Commissioner M. Chandra Sekhar gave the names of the accused as Vineet Poojary (26) and Niteesh Devadiga (23). Mr. Baliga was hacked to death around 6 a.m. on March 21 near his house.

Mr. Sekhar told reporters that a special investigation team had been set up to trace the other persons involved in the murder.

Stating that it was too early to state the reasons for the murder, Mr. Sekhar, however, said they are not ruling out the victim’s RTI activism as a cause. The two accused, who do not have any history of involvement in crime, had been hired to murder Baliga, the police said.

The city police will investigate and arrest all involved. “We will ensure that this sensitive case reaches a logical conclusion,” he said.

Mr. Baliga, an electrical contractor, had filed applications seeking information regarding some electrical works of Mangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited and of unauthorised constructions from Mangaluru City Corporation. He had also questioned affairs of Venkataramana Temple and of South Canara District Central Cooperative Bank, the police said.