Udupi: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) team probing the murder case of Udupi hotelier Bhaskar Shetty is now suspecting the possibility of contract killers from Mumbai being hired for the purpose.

Bhaskar Shetty had gone missing since the afternoon of July 28 after having visited his residence Indrali in the city where his wife and son lived. As per reliable information, Shetty’s wife and son sought help from Mumbai-based contract killers to murder him.

As per latest information it is gathered that Bhaskar Shetty who had visited the house for the purpose of having a bath was blinded by the use of pepper spray following which he was kidnapped, taken to some other location where he was then murdered.

Niranjan Bhat from Nandalike, who was known to Rajeshwari Shetty, is said to be the weaver of the fabricated story put forth by the accused to mislead the investigators.

Shetty’s wife and son had during the investigation said that they had incinerated the mortal remains of Shetty in the Homa Kunda of Niranjan Bhat’s house by using petrol, ghee, camphor etc. Further Niranjan also threw mud dug from the Homa Kunda, petrol can, and other things in different rivers – an act purposely committed to hoodwink the cops, it is being felt.

The murderers exercised utmost care not to leave behind any evidences or clues about the murder since they were aware that the court needs conclusive proof about the death of a person before convicting the murderers in case of a trial.

The CID officials have so far failed to gain access to any such evidence and are due to visit the city for a second round of investigation, it is learnt.

Meanwile it is also learnt that the CID officials have found a will executed by Bhasker Shetty just a few days prior to his murder. As per the will, Shetty has bequeathed his properties abroad to his brothers, and the property in the city to his mother, Gulabi Shetty.