Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (AM)
Mangaluru, Aug 23: Advocate B Arun Bangera, representing the accused in the sensational Bhaskar Shetty murder case in Udupi said here on Wednesday, August 23 that the three prime accused are not being given any kind of princely treatment.
A couple of days ago, controversy had erupted after the three prime accused in the case - Rajeshwari, Navaneet and Niranjan Bhat - were brought to the court in a luxury car instead of police jeep. Soon after media highlighted the story, the Udupi SP Sanjeev Patil suspended three police personnel pending inquiry.
Addressing a press meet here, advocate Bangera said, "The accused are not being given any kind of special treatment. The police brought the accused in a car due to the unavailability of the police escort vehicle. Many media have published half-baked news without verifying the facts.
"As this case involves money and property, there is a threat to the lives of my clients. Hence, I had submitted a request in the court on September 19, 2016, for safe transport to produce my clients at the court. The vehicle used on August 21 was arranged by the police themselves. The private taxi does not belong to my clients or their relatives. Rajeshwari Shetty has not demanded any special treatment. She had even spent a week at the general ward of district Wenlock hospital last month while undergoing treatment. She even has been lodged at Mangaluru prison with 30 other inmates," he added.
"The court itself has granted permission for the safety of the three accused. They have never demanded anything from anyone. It is the police department who arranged the vehicle. Therefore, it is my sincere request to all media, not to publicise wrong facts," he concluded.
'Bhaskar Shetty's will surfaced after 10 months'
Advocate M Chidanand Kedilaya who is representing the three accused said that a will has now surfaced which was never found earlier.
"A will has surfaced which was submitted by Gulabi Shetty, mother of Bhaskar Shetty on August 9, 2017 to the court. The will which was never found earlier is being claimed to be found now, after 10 months. The court is on the verge of accepting the plea of Gulabi Shetty and hence we have filed a petition in the court, not to accept the same," he said.
"Bhaskar Shetty's body has not been found. Death or murder has not been proved yet. But Karkala office have issued a death certificate which is wrong. We have filed an objection against this too," he added.
Advocates Arun Shetty and Nithin Kuthar were present.