Mandya: In a major breakthrough in the case of murder of JD(S) leader Santosh, who was brutally hacked to death near K.G. Koppalu in Maddur taluk on Nov. 29, the Maddur Police have arrested three persons in connection with the case.

The arrested have been identified as Harish of Nelagadaranahalli near Bengaluru, Suresh of K. Malligere and Naveen of Madanayakanahalli.

Santosh, a follower of former Nagamangala MLA K. Suresh Gowda, was in conversation with his friends near K.G. Koppalu close to Kowdle village in Maddur taluk on Nov.29, when miscreants who came in a car brutally attacked Santosh with lethal weapons and fled in the car. Santosh, who sustained severe bleeding injuries, died on the spot.

Maddur Town Police, who registered a case in this regard, arrested the three and have recovered the weapons used in the crime, it is learnt.