Pramesh Jain
Three main accused in the murder of NRI entrepreneur Bhaskar Shetty in 2016, including his wife and son, were on Tuesday sentenced to life by a court in Udupi.
The Udupi district and sessions court Judge J N Subrahmanya awarded life imprisonment to Shetty’s wife Rajeshwari Shetty,Son Navneet Shetty and astrologer Niranjan Bhat.
Shetty (52), a NRI entrepreneur from Indrali in Udupi district was killed in 2016,his body cut into pieces and burnt on a platform meant for holding sacrificial fires with the help of the astrologer.
The court acquitted another accused Raghavendra Bhat, who was accused of destroying evidence.
Niranjan Bhat’s father, Srinivas Bhat, who was also charged with the same offence, had died during the pendency of the hearing. Special public prosecutor Shantaram Shetty had argued the case on behalf of the prosecution.
The prime accused Rajeshwari Shetty is currently out on bail and son Navneet Shetty and Niranjan Bhat are lodged in the Bengaluru prison. The murder took place on July 28, 2016 at Shettys house in Indrali.
His body was later burnt in the ‘homa kunta’ at Niranjan Bhats house at Nandalike in the district. On July 31, Bhaskar Shetty’s mother filed a missing person complaint with the Manipal police.
Police investigation ascertained that Shetty had been murdered and that his body had been burnt in the sacrificial fire at Bhats residence. Rajeshwari and Navneet were arrested on July 7 and Niranjan Bhat, the next day.
Rajeshwari Shetty and Raghavendra were on bail, while Navaneeth Shetty and Bhat were lodged in the Bengaluru Central Prison.
Shrinivas Bhat died during the pendency of the trial. Special Public Prosecutor Shantharam Shetty represented the prosecution.
On Tuesday, Rajeshwari and Raghavendra were present in person, Navaneeth Shetty and Niranjan Bhat were produced virtually from Bengaluru Central Prison through video conference.
The Judge on Tuesday said Rajeshwari will be lodged in Bengalaru Central Prison where Navaneeth an Niranjan are already lodged.
As Rajeshwari has expressed before the court that she faces threat to her life, the Judge directed the police and the local jail authorities to provide suitable protection to her during her transit and stay.
The case was investigated by CID and Charge Sheeted u/s,302,201,204,120 (B) r/w 34 against the Honorable Udupi District and Session Court at IPC 1.
Special PP Sri.Shantharama Shetti,Senior Advocate represented State during trial as Special Public Prosecutor in this case.
In spite of battery of advocates of the accused Sri.Shantharama Shetti efforts yielded in results and this case ended in conviction.
This case was entrusted to CID DSP ST. Chandrashekara who was deputed as IO,and a team was constituted for investigation under the supervision of Superior officers,Sri.Kishore Chandra,the then DGP,CID,Sri.Pratap Reddy the then ADGP,Smt.Sonia Narang,the then DIGP,Sri . Rajappa and lada Martin the then Superintendent of Police.
There were no eye witnesses in this case.The CID team collected Circumstantial and scientific evidences which ultimately led to the conviction says a release.
