Mangalore: Two men 'misfire' gun at office of real estate firm

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)

Mangalore, Mar 10: Two men reportedly came to the office of Bharathi Builders and Developers - Promoters at Anegundi road, Bejai here on Monday March 10 and 'misfired' a gun.

The firm is owned by Loknath Shetty, but he was not in the office at the time of the incident. The office if located in Bharathi Residency, which is also owned by Shetty.

Police have found two bullets on the floor.

It is said that the staff were in the office at the time of the incident. None of the neighbours saw the men or heard the gunshots, it is learnt.

Police commissioner R Hitendra told media persons that between 10.45 and 11 am, two men came to the office and handed over a letter to one of the staff, instructing that it should be passed on to Loknath Shetty. The staff replied that Shetty would not be coming to office during the day. Even as they were speaking, a gun in the possession of one of the two men 'misfired'. The two men then hurried away.

Soon after receiving information the police rushed to the spot and fingerprint experts were also called.

It is said that Loknath Shetty had earlier received threats, but no complaint was filed.

Ravi Poojary 'claims responsibility'

Meanwhile, it is said that underworld don Ravi Poojary contacted a local media and claimed responsibility for the incident.

Ravi Poojary reportedly said that it was his associates who had opened fire to issue warning to the firm's proprietor, and claimed that the latter had 'funded' underworld don Bejai Raja (who was murdered in 2012) to kill criminal Panduranga Pai in 2009.

He also admitted that he had earlier issued threats to Loknath Shetty.