Udupi: As pressure mounts on the police department to carry out an impartial and efficient probe into Bhasker Shetty murder case, district in-charge minister and local MLA Pramodh Madhwaraj has said that the case will be handed over to the COD if need arises.

Addressing the protest meet organised by members of Bunt community in Udupi on Wednesday, Madhwaraj said that stern action will be initiated against the officer showing leniency towards the accused or trying to deviate the case.

He said that with doubts being raised by people over the investigations, specifically that the accused may use their money power to derail the probe, ASP Karkala Dr Sumana has been appointed as the investigating officer of the case.

Former MLAs Appanna Hegde, Raghupathi Bhat, Bunt community leader Ajith Rai Malady among others were present.

Businessman Bhasker Shetty went missing on July 28 from his residence in Indrali and in turn of event his wife Rajeshwari Shetty and son Navaneeth Shetty emerged as accused in the case. The duo had confessed that they killed Shetty after collaborating with an astrologer named Niranjan Bhat. All the three have been arrested.