Saudi bizman Shetty murder: Will Udupi BJP chief defend notorious trio?

[email protected] (CD Network)
August 10, 2016

Udupi, Aug 10: A day after a prominent Bunts organisation slammed him for reportedly deciding to represent the three accused in Saudi businessman Bhaskar Shetty murder case, BJP leader and advocate Mattar Ratnakar Hegde on Wednesday said that he was yet to take a decision on the matter.

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Rajeshwari, Navneet and Niranjan Bhat

Mr Hegde, who is the president of Udupi district committee of the saffron party, hesitated to respond to media persons' question whether he had already taken up the case on behalf Shetty's wife Rajeshwari, son Navneeth Shetty and astrologer Niranjan Bhat, the three prime accused.

“This is BJP office. Not a right place to talk about a case which has nothing to do with the party,” said Mr Hegde, when media persons continued ask questions regarding Bhaskar Shetty murder during a press meet at the party office, here.

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Later he said that Shetty's family is his client since 25 years. The deceased had made a few attempts to contact him before the tragedy, Hegde said.

He added that the bail application in favour of the accused is yet to be moved and once it is done, the accused counsel's name would be made public. The advocate said that he would not prefer to comment as the matter is sub-judice.

The rumours spreading against him in social networking sites are tackled through the messages, he said, adding that he would prefer to remain silent and everything will be revealed in the course of time.

It is worth mentioning here that a meeting organised by the Udupi Taluk unit of Buntara Sangha on Tuesday had resolved to urge advocate Hegde, who is also from Bunt community to give up the case of the accused. A large number of members of the Bunts community had attended the meeting held at the Ammanni Ramanna Shetty Hall complex, here.

More people involved?

Indrali Jayakar Shetty, president of the Udupi Taluk Bunts Samaj, meanwhile said that the murder case, which was taking a new turn daily, was a well-thought conspiracy. It was not possible for just a mother and son to kill a person weighing about 90 kilograms.

He said that according to some media reports, after Bhaskar Shetty was bludgeoned to death at his house at Hayagreeva Nagar here on July 28, the body was taken in the boot of a car by the mother-son team to Nandalike village, where it was burnt in the Yagna Kund room in a house belonging to archak Niranjan Bhat. The ashes were later dispersed in a nearby rivulet. This showed that it was a planned act.

If Ms. Gulabi Shetty had not lodged a complaint, the case would have been closed. The way the case was being handled left a lot to be desired and the accused were being given “royal treatment”.

The conspiracy should be unravelled and the guilty punished so that Ms. Gulabi Shetty, who was shocked at her son's death, got some solace, he said.

Background

Bhaskar Shetty went missing on July 28. His mother Gulabi Shetty lodged a missing complaint at the Manipal Police Station on July 29. Shetty had strained relations with his wife Rajeshwari (46) and son Navneet (20) over property issues.

Things took a dramatic turn, when Bhaskar Shetty's relative Joggu Shetty said that he suspected Rajeshwari, Navneet and Niranjan to be involved in Bhaskar Shetty's murder.

The police arrested Rajeshwari and Navneet on the charge of murdering Bhaskar Shetty and trying to destroy evidence. Bhat, who was close to Rajeshwari and Navneet, was also arrested later.

Also Read:

Saudi bizman murder: Bhat swallows diamond ring to avoid arrest

Saudi bizman Bhaskar Shetty murdered by wife, son in Udupi with priest's help

Days after assault by wife and son, Udupi hotelier Bhaskar Shetty goes missing

 

Comments

Chandrashekar Shetty
 - 
Thursday, 11 Aug 2016

Mattar Rathnakar Hegde is responsible person from BJP and Bunt community.
Both wife and son of Mr. Bhaskar Shetty confessed the crime. Hence, on moral ground he should refuse to take this case. We respect Hegde for if he does so.

Mohammed Iqbal
 - 
Wednesday, 10 Aug 2016

Adv M R Shetty has all the right to take up the case. It is part of his profession.

Nidar Shetty
 - 
Wednesday, 10 Aug 2016

Headline is sensationalised to malign BJP. No media gave headline that Indian Muslim defends Ajmal Kasab when advocated \Ajmal\" Kazmi took up the Mumbai terror attack case."

Advt Hanume Gowda
 - 
Wednesday, 10 Aug 2016

Targeting a lawyer just because he took up a case is a dangerous development. Does Indian law deny opportunity for the accused to prove their innocence? Besides nothing is confirmed yet here. The case is built on mere allegations and suspicions.

Fayaz
 - 
Wednesday, 10 Aug 2016

Veren langotty came.

Mohammed
 - 
Wednesday, 10 Aug 2016

kid, how could u do this that too to your own father?

Rikaz
 - 
Wednesday, 10 Aug 2016

Whoever involved in his murder should be punished severely and show no mercy at all.....they should suffer for it....

Karan
 - 
Wednesday, 10 Aug 2016

criminals must be punished.

Mahesh
 - 
Wednesday, 10 Aug 2016

without pre-plan these people cant execute such big crime so easily.

Viren Kotian
 - 
Wednesday, 10 Aug 2016

Again it's proved. CD does not miss any chance to indict BJP directly or indirectly. #presstitues

BJ
 - 
Wednesday, 10 Aug 2016

The true face of BJP's hindutva unveiled again. they protest if a criminal was murdered by a muslims and defend the killers if they were hindus.

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News Network
November 28,2025

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Mangaluru, Nov 28: Karnataka Health Minister and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Friday handed over Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the severe distress faced by farmers due to crashing crop prices.

PM Modi arrived at the Mangaluru International Airport en route to Udupi, where Gundu Rao welcomed him and submitted the letter. The chief minister’s message stressed that farmers are suffering heavy losses because maize and green gram are being bought far below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The state urged the Centre to immediately begin procurement at MSP.

According to the letter, Karnataka has a bumper harvest this year—over 54.74 lakh metric tons of maize and 1.98 lakh metric tons of green gram—yet farmers are unable to secure fair prices. Against the MSP of ₹2,400/MT for maize and ₹8,768/MT for green gram, market rates have plunged to ₹1,600–₹1,800 and ₹5,400 respectively.

The chief minister has requested the Centre to:

• Direct NAFED, FCI and NCCF to start MSP procurement immediately.
• Ensure ethanol units purchase maize directly from farmers or FPOs.
• Increase Karnataka’s ethanol allocation, citing high production capacity.
• Stop maize imports, which have depressed domestic prices.
• Relax quality norms for green gram, allowing up to 10% discoloration due to rains.

The letter stresses that MSP is crucial for farmer dignity and income stability and calls for swift central intervention to prevent a deepening crisis.

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coastaldigest.com news network
December 2,2025

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Udupi, Dec 2: A wave of regional pride is sweeping through Udupi district as Shagun S Verma Hegde, a talented Class 9 student from Christ King English Medium High School, Karkala, has been named the captain of the Indian National Team for the Under-15 Girls’ Volleyball Championship.

Shagun holds the unique distinction of being the sole player from Karnataka selected to represent the country in the prestigious international tournament. The championship, organized by the School Games Federation, is scheduled to take place in Shangluo, China, from December 3 to 13, where Shagun will lead the national squad.

A Remarkable Journey to the Top

Shagun’s selection is a testament to her dedication and exceptional skill on the court. Her journey included several rigorous rounds of selection:

•    She was the only player from Udupi district to qualify for the state-level selection camp.

•    Out of eight players from Karnataka who advanced to the national selection camp in Pune, Maharashtra, Shagun was the only one to secure a place in the final national squad.

•    The national camp saw participation from approximately 200 players, which was shortlisted to 23. Shagun not only made the final cut but was also ranked as the second-best player overall, solidifying her leadership role.

Shagun, who is the daughter of Sandesh Verma and Shruthiraj of Kallotte, Karkala, has trained under experienced coaches Santosh D’Souza, Jeevan D’Silva, Jairaj Poojary, and Ramesh. Her selection as the team captain has brought profound honour to her family, school, the Udupi district, and the entire state of Karnataka.

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coastaldigest.com news network
November 28,2025

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Udupi district transformed into a sea of saffron and celebration on Friday, November 28, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s roadshow swept through the coastal temple town. Thousands of residents lined the streets, turning the event into a vibrant public spectacle filled with cheers, flags, and festive energy.

The procession route—from the helipad to the historic Sri Krishna Math—was decked with buntings, saffron flags, and multilayered security barricades. One of the district’s largest-ever security deployments was put in place for the high-profile visit, with over 3,000 police personnel on duty. The arrangement included ten SPs, 27 DSPs, 49 inspectors, 127 sub-inspectors, 232 assistant sub-inspectors, 1,608 constables, and 39 women staff.

Six platoons of the Karnataka State Reserve Police, six Quick Response Teams, bomb detection units, and dog squads were stationed across Udupi. Enhanced surveillance covered Adi Udupi, Bannanje bus stand, and the Sri Krishna Math parking zone, with combing operations carried out along the roadshow corridor.

At the 800-year-old Sri Krishna Math, preparations reached a ceremonial peak. Paryaya Puttige Math seer Sugunendra Teertha Swamiji said the Prime Minister would take part in the Laksha Kantha Geetha Parayana, a mass chanting of the Bhagavad Gita by one lakh devotees, and inaugurate the new Suvarna Teertha Mantapa.

“He will first offer floral tributes to saint-poet Kanakadasa and then unveil the golden covering over the Kanakana Kindi,” the seer said.

The Prime Minister will also receive a Poorna Kumbha welcome and have darshan of Lord Sri Krishna, Mukhyaprana Devaru, and the Suvarna Paduke. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Minister Bairathi Suresh, Dharmadhikari D. Veerendra Heggade, and seers from the Ashta Maths are expected to join the ceremony.

Ahead of his arrival, the Prime Minister posted on X that he felt “honoured” to attend the spiritually significant gathering. “This is a special occasion that brings together people from different sections of society for a recital of the Gita. This Matha has a very special significance in our cultural life,” he wrote, noting the institution’s long-standing legacy rooted in the teachings of Sri Madhvacharya.

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