Udupi: It was in a sacred fire pit (homa kunda) that businessman Bhasker Shetty was reportedly charred to death couple of months ago. However, Srinivasa Bhat, father of one of the prime accused in the murder case-Niranjan Bhat, on Wednesday resorted to building a homa kunda at his residence in Nandalike to perform a ‘yaga’, which the Karkala police stopped due to timely intervention of the locals.

On Wednesday evening, the locals witnessed some hustle bustle in the Bhat household and soon smoke started emanating from the homa kunda laid at the residence. The locals who witnessed the same, came together to stage a protest. But, when the Karkala Rural police learnt about the development, they rushed to the spot and first convinced the locals to call back the protest as Section 144 was in place in wake of Tipu Jayanthi celebration.

However, when asked, Bhat said that his wife was unwell and that he was holding the homa for her well-being. Refusing to buy any explanation, the police doused off the fire using tumblers of water.

It may be recalled that a rich businessman named Bhasker Shetty went missing couple of months ago and in turn of events his wife Rajeshwari Shetty, son Navaneeth Shetty and an astrologer named Niranjan Bhat emerged as his murderers. It is said that the trio had charred Shetty to death in a homa kunda at the residence of Bhat in Nandalike. Srinivas Bhat too was in jail for helping his son execute the crime.