Mangaluru : Four masked men brutally murdered a businessman near Borkatte Maidan in Soorinje in the early hours of Tuesday, Januvary 6.

The deceased has been identified as Keshava Shetty (35). He was on his way for play shuttle badminton near Soorinje Kote along with his friend Sampath.

He owned the Carline Garage at Hosabettu and BJP activist. He had received a life threat recently and filed a complaint at Surathkal police station.

Sources said, Nithesh and Santhosh accused of recent Bejai shoot-out case involved behind the murder of Keshava.

The police commissioner Murugan visited the spot.

Several members BJP leaders and locals staged a protest by placing the body of Keshav Shetty at Suratkal Kote  and condemned the incident . They urged immediate arrest of culprits who behind the murder.