Mangaluru: Shrimathi Shetty Murder Case – Three found guilty

Team Udayavani, Sep 14, 2024, 8:50 AM IST

Inset (Clockwise from top): Victim Shrimathi Shetty, Accused Jonas Samson, Victoria Mathias and Raju

Mangaluru: The three accused have been found guilty in the shocking murder case of Shrimathi Shetty by a local court here.

The verdict was delivered by Judge Mallikarjuna Swamy H.S. of the Mangaluru Additional District and Sessions Court on Friday.

The crime, which took place on May 11, 2019, involved the brutal murder of Shrimathi Shetty over a financial dispute related to a chit fund. The crime was so gruesome that her body was dismembered into 29 pieces and scattered across various locations in the city.

The Accused

The convicted individuals are Jonas Samson alias Jonas Julian Samson (40), Victoria Mathais (47) from Suterpete near Valencia; and Raju (34) from Marakada Taripadi Gudde. While Raju was out on bail, he has been re-arrested. Jonas and Victoria remain in jail.

Financial Dispute Leads to Murder
Shrimati Shetty (42), a resident of Attavara, ran the Sri Polali Electronics shop and was involved in a chit fund business. Jonas Samson was a member of this chit fund but had failed to make his monthly payments. On the morning of May 11, 2019, Shrimathi Shetty visited Jonas’s house to demand the dues.

Jonas attacked Shrimathi Shetty with a wooden plank, rendering her unconscious. Jonas and Victoria then dragged her into a room, slit her throat, stole her jewelry, and dismembered her body into 29 pieces. The remains were placed in plastic bags and discarded at various locations across the city.

Awaiting Sentence

While the charges of murder, robbery, and destruction of evidence against Jonas and Victoria, and the charge of aiding the crime and retaining stolen goods against Raju, have been proven, the court has scheduled the sentencing for September 17.

A History of Violence

Jonas Samson, who had been butchering pigs, was previously accused in a relative’s murder case, ran a fast-food outlet. On the day of the murder, he and Victoria were alone in the house. Raju, a friend of Jonas, was informed of the crime and was given some of Shrimathi Shetty’s jewelry. He sheltered the two accused for a day.

CCTV Evidence Key to Arrest

On the day of the murder, Jonas was caught on a CCTV camera near Suterpete with Shrimathi Shetty. This footage led to his arrest.

Discovery of Body Parts

The case came to light when a severed head was found near a shop in Kadri. Other body parts were later discovered near Nandigudde, revealing the gruesome crime. The investigation was led by Inspector Mahesh M. of the Mangaluru East Police Station, with forensic reports from Dr. Jagadish Rao.

A Horrific Crime

Jonas and Victoria packed the body parts in plastic bags and scattered them across the city. The severed head was hidden inside a helmet, while other parts were dumped near KPT and at a crematorium in Nandigudde. The murder was brutal, as Shrimathi Shetty was still alive when her body was being dismembered.