Belthangady: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has begun excavation work at multiple locations in Dharmasthala after a man claimed he had buried several bodies across the temple town. The complainant was brought to the site by officials to help identify the alleged burial spots.

On Monday, the man pointed out 13 different locations near the Netravati bathing ghat, stating that he had personally interred human remains there. Acting on his claims, the SIT returned to the area on Tuesday morning with labourers and began digging at the marked sites using manual tools.

The operation is being conducted under tight police security, with media access strictly denied. Red ribbons now cordon off each location, and night patrols were deployed on Monday to guard the sites.

Senior officials including Internal Security Division SP Jitendra Kumar Dayama, ED Mangaluru Zone SP C.A. Simon, Puttur AC Stella Varghese, and others are present at the location.

A medical team from KMC Hospital, Mangaluru, led by Dr. Jagadish Rao and Dr. Rashmi has also joined the SIT at the site.

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Bengaluru (PTI): A complaint has been lodged against a city-based dermatologist for allegedly spreading misinformation about Nandini milk products on social media and misleading the public, police said on Thursday.

The complaint was lodged by Padmavathi R, an officer of the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), which owns the popular Nandini brand, seeking legal action against Dr Sharanya Padma.

In her complaint, Padmavathi stated that Padma had uploaded reels on February 8 claiming that "Nandini products such as cream bun, strawberry-flavoured milk and other beverages are toxic and contain chemicals, and consuming them daily could lead to autoimmune diseases and serious health issues. Long-term consumption will definitely result in cancer in the future."

According to the complaint, the doctor also alleged that strawberry-flavoured milk "does not contain natural strawberries but is prepared by adding artificial colours and preservatives," and questioned how the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had granted permission for the manufacture of such products.

She further claimed in the reel that consuming these products would damage health and that KMF, being a government company, was producing and marketing them for profit.

The complaint quoted her as stating that "these products are not real food but poisonous in nature and KMF should not release such products into the market."

Padmavathi stated that baseless allegations about certain Nandini brand products were being made on social media and that such "false propaganda" had created unnecessary confusion among crores of consumers who had grown up with the brand since childhood.

In a press release issued on February 18, KMF clarified that it strictly adheres to all food safety standards and approved procedures prescribed by statutory authorities and FSSAI. It assured that all Nandini milk and milk products are completely safe for consumption and that consumers need not panic.

The Federation also "strongly condemned such baseless, misleading and brand-defaming statements" and said it was committed to taking legal action against those involved in such malicious acts.

Based on the complaint, police are examining the matter and further action is likely in accordance with law.

There was no immediate reaction from Dr Padma.