Bhaskar Shetty murder: Three sentenced to life imprisonment

The Principal District and Sessions Court convicted three accused in the sensational murder of hotelier Bhaskar Shetty and sentenced them to life imprisonment on Tuesday.

The court found them guilty of the murder in the morning and Judge Subrahmanya J N pronounced the quantum of punishment in the noon.

The main accused in the case are Shetty’s wife Rajeshwari Shetty, son Navaneeth Shetty and astrologer Niranjan Bhat of Nandalike. Shetty was murdered on July 28, 2016 at his residence and his body was burnt in a homa kunda, in an alleged attempt to destroy evidence. The accused had dumped the remains including ashes into rivulets.

In his 296 page judgement, the judge noted: “The accused No 1 to 3 (Rajeshwari Shetty, Navaneet Shetty and Niranjan Bhat) are sentenced to suffer imprisonment for life for having committed the offence punishable under sections of IPC. The accused No 1 to 3 are sentenced to suffer imprisonment for life for having committed the offence punishable under section 120B, Section 34 of IPC. The accused No 1 to 3 are sentenced to suffer rigorous imprisonment for a period of four years for having committed the offence punishable under various sections of the IPC. All the three sentences shall run concurrently.”

Special public prosecutor Shantharam Shetty, who argued on behalf of the prosecution, told DH that the judgement is the victory of justice. He said that the accused number one who was out on bail is taken into custody by the court and is sent to the jail in Bengaluru. The other two are already in prison in Bengaluru.

The court has examined 78 witnesses, 270 exhibits and documents and 131 material objects before during the trial, he said.

The accused number 4 Srinivas Bhat (father of Niranjan Bhat) died midway of court trial owing to illness. The accused number 5, car driver Raghavendra, who was also arrested for destroying the evidence, is acquitted.

Timeline

July 28, 2016: Bhaskar Shetty goes missing

July 29, 2016: Gulabi Shetty, the mother of Bhaskar Shetty, files a missing complaint at the Manipal police station.

August 7, 2016: Shetty’s wife Rajeshwari Shetty and son Navaneeth were arrested

August 8, 2016: Niranjan Bhat was arrested and attempt to commit suicide.

August 10, 2016: Shetty’s bones were recovered from a water body in Nandalike

August 16, 2016: Case referred to the CID

November 2, 2016: A preliminary chargesheet was filed to the court by CID

December 28, 2016: Udupi District and Sessions Court rejects bail to Rajeshwari Shetty

January 25, 2017- CID submits additional 101 page chargesheet to the court.

July 2, 2018: Udupi District and Sessions Court begins the trial

June 8, 2021: Court delivers verdict