Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)

Udupi, Nov 8: Rajeshwari Shetty, main accused in the murder of entrepreneur Bhaskar Shetty, who was in jail for two years and three months, has been finally granted conditional bail by districts and sessions judge.

Justice Venkatesh Naik, who held trial of the suspects through video conferencing, ordered bail to Rajeshwari Shetty, the wife of murdered Bhaskar Shetty on the basis of rupees one lac bond and surety by her younger sister Roopa B Shetty and relative Mahabala Shetty.

The next hearing is postponed to February 4.

The court has warned that Rajeshwari Shetty should not threaten witnesses, she should be present personally during next hearing, she may not leave the country without consent from the court, her passport should be surrendered within ten days of release and the bail will be cancelled if any of the conditions are violated. The accused is likely to be released in another three days.

Entrepreneur Bhaskar Shetty was murdered on July 28, 2016. The deceased was hit on his head by rod and his dead body was burnt in Homa Kunda. Manipal police, who registered a case, had arrested primary suspects Rajeshwari Shetty, her son Navaneet Shetty, Nandalike based Niranjan Bhat, Srinivas Bhat and Raghavendra.

The court had refused bail to Rajeshwari Shetty even though she applied to the court several times. Therefore, she approached the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court, which held hearing, directed district court to obtain statements from main witnesses and grant bail to Rajeshwari Shetty.

Accordingly the district court which started hearing in the first week of June this year held hearing of 36 primary witnesses out of 167 witnesses and recorded their statements. It has granted bail now as directed by the Supreme Court.

Other accused in the case, Navaneet Shetty and Niranjan Bhat are still in prison.