The murder is suspected to have been carried out to muzzle Baliga’s efforts to expose alleged misappropriation of funds by Venkataramana Temple authorities.

Investigation into the conspiracy behind the murder of an RTI activist, following the arrest of prime accused Naresh Shenoy on June 26 could lead to the top management of a temple.

Vinayak Baliga, 51, was hacked to death on March 21 by two hired killers in Mangaluru. The murder is suspected to have been carried out to muzzle Baliga’s efforts to expose alleged misappropriation of funds by Venkataramana Temple authorities.

According to police, the murder was carried out by two contract killers, allegedly hired by Shenoy, 39, the founder of NaMo Brigade, who is associated with temple authorities. Shenoy was arrested last Sunday.