Saudi bizman murder: Bhat swallows diamond ring to avoid arrest

Udupi, Aug 9: Astrologer Niranjan Bhat, one of the key suspects in the murder of businessman Bhaskar Shetty, had attempted suicide by swallowing a diamond-studded finger ring and ear studs just a day before his arrest, police said.

Niranjan Bhat, the astrologer (file photo)

Bhat had swallowed the ring and studs in Bengaluru on August 7, Additional Superintendent of Police Vishnuvardhan N siad. He was arrested at Nitte in Karkala, Udupi district, a day later but didn't show any signs of ill health.

Around 11 pm, he complained of severe stomach pain. Police rushed him to hospital but he tried to avoid undergoing scan.

Investigation Officer S V Girish made him undergo the scan to locate the ornaments in the stomach and intestine. He was fed natural laxatives such as bananas and raw vegetables.

The ornaments may take some time to come out of the body through the bowels. Doctors are checking his stools (faeces).

As of now, Bhat is out of danger as the ring he had swallowed was a whole one. The ring or studs were not powdered. But doctors fear harm to his intestines from the sharp edges of the ear studs.

Bhaskar Shetty, a prominent businessman from Udupi, who owned a chain of supermarkets in Saudi Arabia, had gone missing on July 28 and was found murdered later.

Police have arrested his wife Rajeshwari B Shetty, son Navneeth Shetty and Bhat for the murder. They suspect Rajeshwari was having an affair with Bhat and misappropriating Shetty's money.

Shetty had also threatened to divorce Rajeshwari and disown her as well as Navneeth.

Mom-son in custody

Rajeshwari and son Navneeth Shetty were on Monday remanded in police custody for five days. Manipal police had sought nine days of custody when they were produced before Additional Civil Judge (Senior Division) Rajesh Karnan of Udupi court.

Sources said that apart from Rajeshwari, Navneeth and astrologer Niranjan Bhat, some others could have been involved in the murder, said sources.

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