Police said the accused Bharat Kumdelu, 30, a resident of Bantwal and who was suspected to be the mastermind behind the murder, was being interrogated.
The murder had sparked communal tension in the area forcing the district administration to impose prohibitory orders under Section 144 in four taluks of Dakshina Kannada district.
Expect one, all the accused arrested in connection with the murder had criminal cases pending against them, police said.