Udupi-born underworld gangster Hemant Poojary reportedly arrested abroad; efforts on to bring him to India

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Nov 9, 2026: Underworld gangster Hemant Poojary has reportedly been arrested abroad in a joint operation involving Interpol and India’s external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). Efforts are reportedly underway to bring him back to India to face criminal charges.

While some sources claim that Poojary was arrested in Malaysia a few weeks ago, others have reported that he was apprehended in Myanmar. The exact location and circumstances of his arrest are yet to be officially confirmed. Maharashtra Police are also said to have played a role in the operation.

Poojary was wanted in connection with more than 25 serious criminal cases, including the murder of Udupi businessman David D’Souza, besides several other murder cases, assaults and extortion-related threats in Karnataka and Maharashtra. He was considered one of the most wanted criminals in the region.

Poojary’s parents originally hail from Ermal in Udupi district, although he was born in Maharashtra. With his family roots in Udupi, he reportedly visited Ermal several years ago.

In Mumbai, Poojary initially associated with members of underworld don Chhota Rajan’s gang before emerging as a shooter and extortionist. He came into the limelight in connection with the 1999 murder of builder Shaukat Sarkar in Mumbai’s Khar area. He subsequently became part of Chhota Rajan’s close circle.

In 2002, Poojary reportedly parted ways with the Chhota Rajan gang and established his own criminal network, operating across Karnataka and Maharashtra.

He was allegedly involved in several high-profile murders, including the killings of Mumbai hotel businessman Ratnakar Shetty on December 21, 2001; hotel owner Mohammed Shafi on April 4, 2001; hotel owner Jaya Shetty on May 4, 2001; bomb blast accused Akbar Khan; and flower trader Sunil Sohans.

Untraceable for nearly 10 years

Poojary remained untraceable for nearly a decade, and police had reportedly suspected that he had died due to ill health.

However, his name resurfaced during the investigation into the murder of businessman David D’Souza at Mudrangady on August 7. Initially, investigators were unsure whether Poojary was still alive or involved in the crime. It was only after other accused in the murder case revealed details that police learnt he was still alive.

Following the murder, several businessmen, contractors and hotel owners in Udupi district reportedly began receiving threatening calls demanding large sums of money.

Acting on the instructions of the Home Minister, district police registered eight cases in Shirva, Padubidri, Kaup and Manipal police station limits.

Police also arrested two accused, identified as Suresh Amin and Harish Poojary, for allegedly supplying mobile phone numbers to Hemant Poojary. Their arrests helped investigators gather further technical evidence about the network.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Police, who were tracking Poojary, reportedly established that he was staying abroad. A Red Corner Notice was issued against him, and information obtained from members of his close circle eventually helped authorities trace his whereabouts and secure his arrest.

Efforts are now underway to bring Poojary to India to face the cases registered against him.