Bantwal: Three more people were arrested by Bantwal police in connection with the attempt to murder case involving an actor from Tulu film industry on Wednesday.

The arrested have been identified as Pradeep (28), Tilak (28) and Manohar (28), all residents of Farangipete in Bantwal. Earlier, the key accused in the case including Coastalwood actor Surendra Bhandary and his aides Satish Kulal and Prithviraj J. Shetty were arrested by the police.

On June 11th, Bantwal BJP unit secretary Ganesh Rai had filed a complaint at Bantwal police station alleging that Surendra and his gang had attempted a murderous assault on him and his friends. Ganesh said that Surendra and his accomplices arrived in two vehicles at the hotel Ganesh and his friends were having lunch, launched a verbal attack and then brandished sword with aim to mureder him.

It is understood from sources that Surendra was a long time associate with Sangh Parivar and had recently changed over to Congrss after bedding adieu to saffron. This also led to increase in friction between the two parties.

The accused have been booked under IPC Sections 143 and 149 (Unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting armed with deadly weapons), 307 (attempt to murder) and 395 (dacoity)