The accused have been identified as Ratnakar, Rakesh, Bapi, Arjun and Ashok, all from Odisha. According to the police, Ratnakar, a cook, was the mastermind behind the murder and it was a murder for gain. The police have also recovered the gold chain, ATM card and cellphone belonging to the deceased from them.

Ebrahim, a native of Odisha, was working as a mason and had acquainted with the suspects. They were all staying in Somasundarpalya. His body was found from a lake just behind the Wipro office on Sarjapura Road on September 15.

“Ratnakar had planned the murder. They apprehended Ebrahim near the lake on September 14 morning and gagged him. They tied his hands and legs and smothered him to death. The body of the deceased was fished out of the lake the next day,” the police said.