CBI officials claim that the two were the main eyewitnesses to Shetty’s killing on January 13, 2010 near their residence in Talegaon Dabhade, but refuse to come forward with any information, as the assailants may have threatened or bought their silence.u00a0

A CBI officer, who participated in the operation, said, “The couple reside near Shetty’s residence and have a small shop in front of their house. When the assailants assaulted Shetty on January 13, both were present at their stall. We suspect that they might have witnessed the killing, but are not coming forward to help CBI identifying the main assailants.”