Mangaluru: The Surathkal police have arrested Sathish Soorinje (30), an alleged aide of underworld operative Vikki Shetty, who reportedly is the main accused in the murder of BJP activist and garage owner Keshava Shetty in Soorinje on January 6.

Earlier, the police had arrested five persons in connection to the murder. However, Sathish Shetty, who they claimed as the main accused, was absconding. On February 4, the police arrested him near the Talapady bus stand. All of them are in the judicial custody.

There were eight cases against Satish Soorinje, including alleged extortion from Keshava Shetty a few weeks before the murder, the police said. He was also reported to have been involved in an attack on the life of businessman Vijayaendra Bhat in Ballalbagh in 2013. There were also cases of murder and attempt to murder against Satish Soorinje, the police said.

The operation was conducted under the directions of police commissioner S Murugan, guided by DCP Santosh Babu, and led by CCB inspector Valentine D’Souza.