Udupi businessman goes missing, mother suspects wife of foul play

An Udupi businessman, who own properties worth crores in India and Saudi Arabia, has been missing for the past nine days from Manipal. The city police have been investigating the case and suspect some foul play in his disappearance.

Bhaskar Shetty left home on July 28 but hasn't returned home since, the family said. His extended family has no knowledge of his whereabouts either. The family confirmed that Shetty left home without any luggage.

“The last person Bhaskar called was his brother. On my husband's death anniversary, Bhaskar usually performs all the rituals but he never showed up. We've been trying to contact him but his phone has been switched off ever since,” said Shetty's mother Gulabi.

Gulabi has filed a missing complaint at Manipal police station. In her complaint, she accused her daughter-in-law (Bhaskar's wife) of kidnapping Bhaskar. However, no substantial evidence has been found against his wife so far, the police said.

Not long ago, in a family quarrel, Bhaskar's son had physically assaulted him. “His own son beat him near Durga Hotel. Bhaskar had suffered injuries on his head," said Shetty's sister Jayanthi.

Bhaskar Shetty is the owner of Durga International Hotel located in the heart of the city. He also owns two multi-storied buildings in Udupi and six supermarkets in Saudi. He has been conducting business in Saudi for the past 25 years and had been living there for several years. He arrived in Udupi two months ago.

Before leaving home on July 28, Bhaskar had told his mother that he had an appointment with a lawyer but refused to reveal the reason for his meeting.

The police suspect Bhaskar's disappearance is connected to a property dispute.