Dharmasthala case: Sujatha Bhat’s lawyer raises concern about shortage of GPR equipment
Mangaluru: Advocate Manjunath N, legal counsel for Sujatha Bhat, mother of missing medical student Ananya Bhat, has raised serious concerns regarding an alleged artificial shortage of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) equipment crucial to the ongoing Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the mass burials case in Dharmasthala.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, Advocate Manjunath highlighted that there has been a deliberate blocking of access to GPR technology, which is essential for locating potential human remains at identified sites in Dharmasthala. Sujatha Bhat, whose daughter went missing in 2003, has been actively urging the SIT to deploy advanced GPR methods in the investigation.
“There are very few private sector suppliers of GPR in India, and we have received information that existing equipment has been pre-booked by unknown vested interests,” the statement read. It further alleged that certain private firms were being discouraged, or even threatened, against cooperating with the SIT by providing the necessary equipment.
The advocate urged members of the media and investigative journalists to probe this suspicious trend, including whether there has been a surge in equipment bookings coinciding with the timeline of the Dharmasthala probe, and whether any pressure or inducements have been placed on GPR suppliers.
Furthermore, the advocate expressed strong appreciation for the SIT’s efforts under the leadership of DGP Pranab Mohanty, praising the team’s professionalism and resolve in pursuing the sensitive case.
Any attempt to block the availability of essential technology would be a grave injustice to the families of missing persons, he added.
“They deserve nothing less than a thorough, scientific investigation. The people of Karnataka and India have the right to know the truth,” the advocate said.
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BJP accuses Karnataka govt of 'failing' to prevent noise pollution caused by 'azaan'
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): Members of the Opposition BJP on Tuesday slammed the Karnataka government for not taking measures to prevent the alleged noise pollution caused by 'azaan', the Islamic call to prayer.
BJP MLC D S Arun raised the issue in the Legislative Council during the question hour, accusing the ruling Congress of "appeasement" by failing to take action against mosques that are violating the Supreme Court's directives.
Karnataka Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre, responding to the question, said, as per the directives of the Supreme Court in sensitive zones, the noise level should not exceed 50 decibels during the day and 40 decibels at night, and in residential areas, 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night.
In commercial areas, the noise should not exceed 65 decibels during the day, 55 at night, and in industrial areas, 75 during the day and at night 70 decibels, he said.
Pointing out that the Karnataka government had issued an order in 2022, assigning responsibility to a committee headed by a DySPs or ACPs for the effective implementation of the rules, the minister said when a complaint is received about noise pollution, the Pollution Control Board will inspect it and provide information about the decibel level to the police to take further action, including filing of criminal cases.
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"Not only during azaan, but also during bhajans held in temples and marriage events, among others, the violations happen. There is a need to spread awareness. The Supreme Court has ordered against bursting firecrackers, but it is being violated. Efforts will be made to implement the rules effectively," he said.
Several BJP MLAs, including Arun, Bharathi Shetty, among others, were not satisfied with the minister's reply. They took strong exception to it.
Arun noted that in the last three years, only 52 cases have been taken, and said there are clear violations by almost all mosques, but no action has been taken. "The decibels have in fact increased under this government. The government is giving protection to them."
Reacting to this, Khandre, calling it a "sensitive matter", said, "It is not right to politicise the issue. The law of this land is equal for everyone."
Hitting back, Arun asked, "Why is the matter sensitive? What is preventing you (the government) from implementing the Supreme Court directives?"
