Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Nov 4: When filing charge sheet containing 1,300 pages relating to the murder of NRI entrepreneur, Bhaskar Shetty here against five accused, criminal investigation department (CID) has banked on over 147 documents and 174 evidences. Their finding is also supported by statements of over 80 persons.

CID has concluded that wife of Bhaskar, Rajeshwari Shetty (50), son, Navaneet B Shetty (20) and Nandalike Niranjan Bhat (26) had directly participated in the murder of Bhaskar Shetty, while Niranjan Bhat's father, Srinivas Bhat, and driver, Raghavendra, indirectly supported their dastardly act by helping to destroy evidences.

Bhaskar Shetty, who had gone to Saudi Arabia in 1985, had opened six super markets there in course of time. Shetty was living with his wife and son at Saudi Arabia then, but later he sent his wife and son about ten years back to live at Udupi to facilitate Navaneet's education. Bhaskar stayed back at Saudi Arabia, and visited his family here once in two months.

Bhaskar Shetty with Navaneet and Rajeshwari 

Niranjan Bhat

Srinivas Bhat and Raghavendra

Rajeshwari and Navaneet in court

Shetty, during routine checking of his business here managed by his wife, found that funds were being diverted from the business and loan installments were not being remitted to bank promptly. During his visit here in May 2016, he fought with Rajeshwari. He found obscene pictures in Rajeshwari's cellphone and her photos in the company of Niranjan Bhat. He took this cellphone into his possession. Rajeshwari and her son had fought with Bhaskar Shetty on this issue on July 9, the charge sheet explains.

Bhaskar Shetty was aware that Rajeshwari, who had developed physical relationship with Niranjan, had gifted the latter with a flat in Champa Residency and a Kreta car costing Rs 15 lac. The loan installments of the loan raised to buy this car was being remitted by Rajeshwari.

Rajeshwari Shetty had made her son to believe that his father had illicit relationship with certain women. To find out the truth, Navaneet placed voice recorder in the room of his father at the family's hotel and used to record conversations going on there. Bhaskar Shetty had warned Niranjan Bhat not to get involved with his family affairs during one of his visits. In the meanwhile, Niranjan had earned the trust of Rajeshwari and Navaneet, and advised Rajeshwari to seek divorce. The three together planned murder as they were afraid that applying for divorce will divest them of Bhaskar Shetty's properties.

The three had drawn up murder plan through discussions held at Nandalike on July 5, at Indrali Eshwari Nilaya on the night of July 11, at Nandalike on July 24, near City Hospital here on July 25 and 26, and again on July 27 near Rajangana Parking area, the charge sheet explains. The trio felt eliminating Bhaskar was the best option as they were sure that otherwise he would write will in favour of his mother, Gulabi.

The three, during the discussions inside Kreta car owned by Niranjan near Rajangana here on July 27, made final preparations like buying of chilli spray, rope, can, can of camphor, match box, petrol, and insecticide. It was decided to kill Baskar by using steel rod of the curtain, duly using mask, hand gloves and cockroach spray, CID said in the charge sheet.