Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Oct 24: Out of five persons named as accused in the famous case pertaining to the murder of NRI entrepreneur from here, Bhaskar Shetty, two were released on bail long back. The other three continue to be in judicial custody.

Judge of the district and sessions court, Venkatesh Naik, read out the charges framed against the persons named accused in the case on Monday October 23. The accused denied the charges. Therefore, the judge adjourned the case to November 28 for fixing date of further hearing.

File photo of Bhaskar Shetty family

Prime accused during previous court hearing

Rajeshwari Shetty (51), Navneet Shetty (21) and Niranjan Bhat (26), were brought by the Manipal police from Shivamogga district prison where they had been lodged, as they were to be presented in the court here. After the court process was over, they were led back to Shivamogga. They had been transferred to Shivamogga prison due to security concerns, after Navneet and Niranjan were attacked inside Mangaluru prison on September 11 by fellow prisoners.

When the three accused were presented in the court on August 21, they had been brought in a private air-conditioned car. This incident gave rise to deliberations on using private vehicle instead of police van for bringing them to court then. Three police personnel were also suspended relating to this controversy. The police department, learning from the previous experience, took care to bring the trio from Shivamogga in a police vehicle this time. It was observed that the three, who were well-dressed when they came to court last time, were wearing simple clothes on Monday.

Niranjan's father, Srinivas Bhat (57) and car driver, Raghu (26), who face charges of destruction of evidence, too were present in the court. Investigating officer in the case, police inspector of Manipal station, Sudarshan, was in the court. Public prosecutor, Shanthibai, presented the case on behalf of the prosecution.