Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Aug 31: It has been gathered that information put together by criminal investigation department (CID) now points out possibility of involvement of Mumbai-based contract killers in the murder of non-resident entrepreneur and owner of Hotel Durga International, Bhaskar Shetty, on July 28.

Bhaskar Shetty had directly gone to his home at Indrali in the city where his wife and son lived, from his Hotel Durga International near city bus stand here on July 28 afternoon this year at around 3 pm. As per reliable information, contract killers from Mumbai had joined hands with Shetty's wife and son in eliminating him.

It is being said that as per latest information, Bhaskar Shetty had visited his home to take bath. Immediately after he finished his bath and came out, pepper spray was used to blind him, after which he was abducted to some other spot and killed.

Imaginary story ?

It is said that Niranjan Bhat from Nandalike, who was known to Rajeshwari Shetty, was the brain behind the plan to weave the imaginary story of incineration of the mortal remains of Shetty in the Homa Kunda of his house by using petrol, ghee, camphor etc, with the specific aim of misleading investigators. He also threw mud dug from the Homa Kunda, petrol can, and other things in different rivers to hoodwink the police, it is being felt.

The murderers seem to have taken abundant precaution on the lines of some Hindi movies, duly ensuring that no evidences or clues are left behind about the murder. They seemed to be aware that when the case comes up before the court for trial, the court needs conclusive proof about the death of a person before convicting the murderers. As CID officials failed to gain access to such an evidence, it is learnt, they are on a visit of the city for second round of investigation.

There is possibility, as per some reliable sources, that a close relative, who used to look after the business dealings of Bhaskar Shetty till recently, may be subjected to interrogation by the CID personnel.

Will found

Highly placed sources said that the CID officers, during their verification of property papers, stumbled upon a will left behind by Bhaskar Shetty. As per information, through the will, which was executed a few days before he was murdered, Bhaskar Shetty had bequeathed his property in foreign countries to his brothers, and the property in the city to his mother, Gulabi Shetty. It is not known whether his wife and son were aware of the will and whether the murder conspiracy was hatched after coming to know about it.