Complaint filed before High Court judges alleging attempts to obstruct Dharmasthala SIT probe
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Bengaluru: Serious allegations have emerged that organised efforts are being made to weaken the functioning of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged mass burials, disappearances, and suspicious deaths in Dharmasthala. A complaint has been submitted to judges of the Karnataka High Court seeking registration of a suo motu case in this regard.
The petition was filed by Raghu Janagere, a member of the “Lanchmukta Karnataka Nirmana Vedike,” who has also forwarded a copy to the Chief Justice of India, Justice B.R. Gavai. The letter was addressed to Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru.
In his submission, Janagere urged the High Court to take immediate suo motu cognisance of the matter. He alleged that vested interests were exerting pressure to derail the SIT’s ongoing investigations.
The SIT was constituted by the Karnataka government on July 19, 2025, following allegations that hundreds of bodies had been illegally buried in Dharmasthala over the years. The team was tasked with investigating cases of disappearances and suspicious deaths spanning the last 25 years. Among these is the infamous October 9, 2012 case involving the rape and murder of 17-year-old Soujanya, which remains unresolved despite sustained protests by activists.
The complaint further alleged that attempts were being made to prevent victims and activists from approaching the SIT. Instead, police complaints were being filed against them to intimidate families and witnesses, thereby creating a climate of fear.
Notable activists such as Mahesh Shetty Timarodi, Girish Mattannavar, Sameer M.D., and Jayanth have been named in multiple police cases. Even Sujata Bhatt, reportedly suffering from psychological trauma, has been targeted in this manner, the petition claimed.
Janagere alleged that this was the result of collusion between vested interests and certain police officials, aimed at weakening the SIT’s work. He requested the High Court to monitor the case under the supervision of a retired judge to ensure impartiality.
The petition also sought strict directions to the police to prevent misuse of the system against activists, victims, and witnesses.
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Minor girl kidnapped and raped; main accused and two cafe owners held
Latur (PTI): A minor girl was allegedly kidnapped and raped by an 18-year-old man in Latur, leading to the arrest of the main accused and owners of two cafes where the crime occurred on December 4, police said on Saturday.
Police traced the girl within hours of registering the complaint. The accused, identified as Rihan Gulab Shaikh, was arrested based on the girl's complaint. Two others are owners of two cafes where the crime occurred, police said.
Police registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), POCSO Act, and the Prevention of Atrocities Act, an official said.
