Daijiworld Media Network-Bengaluru (RJP)

Bengaluru, Jul 27: The third accused in the sensational Bhaskar Shetty case, Niranjan Bhat, has been rejected bail by the High Court here on Wednesday, July 26.

The single bench court, presided by Justice Ratnakala, asked Bhat to provide evidence relating to the case to the prosecution in the next 6 months and to apply for fresh bail in the competent court.

The advocate for Niranjan argued that the accused was not involved in the murder directly as per the chargesheet and other two accused are on bail. He promised that Niranjan will cooperate in the case if he is given bail.

Additional advocate general A S Ponnappa who argued on behalf of the State, said that Niranjan was involved in the murder directly and had also tried suicide attempt in jail. He also said that there is evidence to show that Niranjan threatened Bhaskar Shetty by showing pistol with the help of his friend from Mumbai. “It is also known that the dead body of Bhaskar Shetty was burnt to ashes in a Homa Kunda in which Niranjan Bhat was involved. So if let on bail, Niranjan Bhat has the chances of destroying evidence. So he should not be granted bail.” Ponnappa argued.

The Bhaskar Shetty murder case is one year old now. Rajeshwari Shetty, wife of Bhaskar Shetty, her son Navaneet Shetty, astrologer Niranjan Bhat, his father and assistant were arrested relating to the case. While the first three are in jail, the other two are out on bail.