Bhaskar Shetty murder: Trio remanded in judicial custody till Aug 24

Udupi, Aug 16: The Principal Civil Judge's Court (Senior Division) on Tuesday remanded all the three suspects in the Bhaskar Shetty murder case --- wife Rajeshwari, son Navneeth and astrologer Niranjan Bhat --- in judicial custody up to August 24.

The judge pronounced the judicial custody as police did not seek the extension of police custody. The first suspect Rajeshwari has been shifted to the jail in Mangaluru as there is no women's cell in the district prison. The other two suspects will be housed at the district jail in Anjaru.

Senior assistant public prosecutor Praveen Kumar R N said the chargesheet would be filed within 90 days of the arrest.

A highly placed police source said many evidences have been collected and the investigating team needs some more time to interrogate thoroughly the evidences collected from the accused who were interrogated. The mother and son were taken into nine days custody, while the astrologer was taken to the police custody for four days. The police have the privilege of seeking the accused for 15 days' custody, the source added.

Meanwhile, the application for the DNA profiling of the blood samples of the mother and the elder brother of the deceased would come before the court on August 18, as the application was moved by the police on August 13.

The source added that the crucial evidences collected are now being meticulously linked up to build the chain of incidents involving crime. The accused have confessed of disposing the crucial evidences, including the mortal remains of Bhaskar Shetty, at three places, including rivers at Palli, Kadandale and Kalkaru.

While the bones and other remains of the body were dumped at one place, the mop used to wipe the blood stains and the pesticide and repellent bottles used for crime, the bucket and mugs were dumped in another river. The source added that the chances of collecting the evidences are grim due to the flow of water. But, the plastic materials like bottle, bucket and mug can be recovered, the added.

A major search would be taken up at Palli River to collect the evidences. The materials dumped in the river should be searched. If there are no further evidences recovered, there is no requirement for the police custody. The DNA report can be expected in another 15-20 days. The report plays a crucial role. Even the minute traces are also being dispatched for the DNA test which might take much longer period, the source said.

Mahazar was conducted at all the places. The articles used for crime were purchased from different outlets. There are nearly four to five shops. They conspired in different areas and later executed their plot accordingly. After the execution, the evidences were also disposed of at three to four places. The ashes were disposed of in Palli river. The source added that the conviction highly depends on DNA test.