It can be recalled that the actor was found stabbed to death on a sofa in his BC Road flat on October 21. It was believed that a financial dispute was the motive behind the crime. Three teams were formed by the police to nab the perpetrators of the horrific crime.

The accused, who were arrested from Mudipu near the Karnataka-Kerala border, have been identified as Sathish Kulal (39), a native of Bantwal, and Girish (28), a native of Kinnigoli. The duo was arrested based on a tip-off that they were returning to Dakshina Kannada from Kerala. Their vehicle was stopped by the police near Mudipu and the two were arrested.

A day after Surendra’s murder, one of the accused, Sathish Kulal allegedly made an audio clip confessing his guilt. He reportedly said that the Tulu film actor was killed as revenge for the murder of real estate businessman Kishan Hegde in Udupi on September 24. According to police sources, Sathish met Surendra at his apartment just before the murder.

Surendra Bantwal has acted in several Tulu and Kannada films.

In June of 2018, the Coastalwood actor was arrested for threatening BJP workers in Bantwal town with a sword. A video of the episode had gone viral. Later on, he was associated with right wing outfits.

Further investigation into the incident is underway.