Mangaluru: A 35-year-old man was brutality murdered in the early hours of Tuesday at Soorinje in the outskirts of city, in an alleged case of extortion and vengeance.

The deceased is identified as Keshav Shetty, a businessman who runs a garage in Hosabettu. He was also an active member of BJP.

The police said that the murder is an act of revenge, after Keshav Shetty refused to entertain a case of extortion. Shetty had registered a case in the Surathkal police station, citing threat a week back, sources in the police added.

According to the police reports, four persons are said to be involved in the murder case. Nithesh and Santhosh are the suspected murderers. It is learnt that police have launched a search operation to nab the culprits.

Keshav Shetty was murdered in the early hours, while he was returning after playing badminton.

A case has been registered in the Surathkal police station.