Three men were arrested on Monday in connection with the murder of a Muslim trader in Mangalore but police refused to reveal the motive for the crime that has deepened tensions in the communally sensitive district, Dakshin Kannada.

Jaleel, 42, who ran a retail store that sold wares used by women, had been stabbed to death around 8pm on Saturday. Those arrested have been identified as Sailesh, 21, Savin, 24, and Pavan, 23, but there has been no information on their possible links with any organisation.

Mangalore police commissioner N. Shashi Kumar told reporters on Monday that two of those arrested had stabbed Jaleel while the third had helped them escape on his motorbike. He said two of the accused had past criminal records, including an attempt-to-murder case from 2021, but the third was a first-time offender.

“More arrests are likely since we are conducting a comprehensive investigation,” Kumar said.

Police sources had earlier said that two assailants had confronted Jaleel over his closeness to a couple of women from another community.

One of the women apparently worked as a tailor near Jaleel’s shop. A quarrel broke out after which the killers chased Jaleel down and stabbed him.

The incident triggered communal tensions, Dakshina Kannada having in recent weeks witnessed a surge in moral policing by vigilantes who have attacked interfaith couples, friends and even bus co-passengers.

Chief minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday tried to play down speculation about Jaleel’s closeness with some women being the reason for the murder, asking people not to believe stories.