Mangaluru: Two get life term in Shrimati Shetty murder case
Mangaluru (Karnataka), Sep 25: A court here has handed life imprisonment to two people involved in the gruesome murder of chit fund operator Shrimati Shetty in 2019.
On Tuesday, the First Additional District and Sessions Court in Mangaluru sentenced Jonas Samson (35) and Victoria Mathias (47) to life imprisonment for their roles in the murder. The third accused, Raju (34), was sentenced to six and a half months of simple imprisonment for his involvement in concealing stolen property.
Judge Mallikarjuna Swamy HS pronounced the sentence based on the charges established under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Jonas Samson and Victoria Mathias were convicted under IPC Section 302 (murder) and Section 34 (common intent), resulting in life imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 25,000 each. If they fail to pay the fine, they will face an additional year of simple imprisonment.
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Further, under IPC Section 201 (causing the disappearance of evidence) and Section 34, they were sentenced to seven years of simple imprisonment and fined Rs. 5,000 each, with an extra three months of imprisonment in case of non-payment. Additionally, for extortion under IPC Section 392 and 34, they received a five-year term with another fine of Rs. 5,000, leading to six months of additional imprisonment if unpaid.
Raju, the third accused, was convicted under IPC Section 414 for aiding in the concealment of stolen property and was fined Rs. 5,000, along with six and a half months of simple imprisonment.
As part of the judgment, the court directed that Shrimati Shetty's mother be paid a compensation of Rs. 75,000, and the funds be facilitated through the legal services authority.
According to police, the 42-year-old victim, was a resident of Attavara in Mangaluru and ran an electronics shop while also managing a chit fund business. Jonas had two memberships in her chit fund but defaulted on his monthly payments. When Shrimati Shetty visited Jonas' residence on May 11, 2019, at around 9:15 am to collect the due payment, a heated argument ensued.
In a fit of rage, Jonas struck her on the head with a wooden object, leaving her unconscious. Along with his wife, Victoria, Jonas proceeded to rob Shrimati Shetty of her gold ornaments before committing the act of murder. They dismembered her body into 29 pieces, placed them in plastic sacks, and scattered them across various locations in the city at night. Her belongings, including a vanity bag and slippers, were burnt inside their house to eliminate evidence.
The crime came to light three days later when a body part was discovered near a shop in Kadri, eventually leading to the recovery of her body parts in Nandigudde. Raju had also played a role in assisting Jonas and Victoria in the crime, police said.
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Karnataka offers extensive incentives in its proposed IT policy
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka has proposed a new Information Technology Policy for 2025–2030, offering extensive financial and non-financial incentives aimed at accelerating investments, strengthening innovation and expanding the state's tech footprint beyond Bengaluru.
The Karnataka Cabinet gave its nod to the policy 2025–2030 with an outlay of Rs 445.50 crore on Thursday after the Finance Department accorded its approval.
The policy introduces 16 incentives across five enabler categories, nine of which are entirely new, with a distinctive push to support companies setting up or expanding in emerging cities.
Alongside financial support, the government is also offering labour-law relaxations, round-the-clock operational permissions and industry-ready human capital programmes to make Karnataka a globally competitive 'AI-native' destination.
According to the policy, units located outside Bengaluru will gain access to a wide suite of benefits, including research and development and IP creation incentives, internship reimbursements, talent relocation support and recruitment assistance.
The benefits also include EPF reimbursement, faculty development support, rental assistance, certification subsidies, electricity tariff rebates, property tax reimbursement, telecom infrastructure support, and assistance for events and conferences.
Bengaluru Urban will receive a focused set of six research and development and talent-oriented incentives, while Indian Global Capability Centres (GCCs) operating in the state will be brought under the incentive net.
Incentive caps and eligibility thresholds have been raised, and the policy prioritises growth-focused investments for both new and expanding units.
Beyond incentives, the government focuses on infrastructure and innovation interventions.
A flagship proposal in the policy is the creation of Techniverse -- integrated, technology-enabled enclaves developed through a public-private partnership model inside future Global Innovation Districts.
These campuses will offer plug-and-play facilities, artificial intelligence and machine learning and cybersecurity labs, advanced testbeds, experience centres, and disaster-resistant command centres.
There will also be a Statewide Digital Hub Grid and a Global Test Bed Infrastructure Network, linking public and private research and development, and innovation facilities across Karnataka.
The government has proposed a Women Global Tech Missions Fellowship for 1,000 mid-career women technologists, an IT Talent Return Programme to absorb experienced professionals returning from abroad, and broad-based skill and faculty development reimbursements.
Shared corporate transport routes in Bengaluru and tier-two cities will be designed with Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation and other transport entities to support worker mobility.
The government said the policy is the outcome of an extensive research and consultation process involving TCS, Infosys, Wipro, IBM, HCL, Tech Mahindra, Cognizant, HP, Google, Accenture and NASSCOM, along with sector experts and stakeholder groups.
It estimates an outlay of Rs 967.12 crore over five years, comprising Rs 754.62 crore for incentives and Rs 212.50 crore for interventions such as Techniverse campuses, digital grid development, global outreach missions and talent programmes.
