Belthangady: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Dharmasthala case has launched the third day of its operations on July 30, around 11 a.m., focusing on the search for skeletal remains allegedly buried in the area. The team arrived at the Netravati bathing ghat along with the primary complainant who had initially filed the case.

Earlier in the day, the complainant arrived at the Belthangady SIT office at 10 a.m. with legal representatives. After completing necessary formalities, the team proceeded to the excavation site.

Among the officials present were IPS officers Anucheth and Jitendra Kumar Dayama, SP Simon, Puttur Assistant Commissioner Stella Varghese, Belthangady Tahsildar Prithvi Sanikan, a medical team from KMC Mangaluru, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team, and experts from the Indian Society of Dowsers (ISD).

The SIT is now preparing to excavate a second location identified by the witness.

No use of Hitachi machines

Sources have confirmed that the land being excavated today falls under the jurisdiction of the Forest Department. As such, permission has not been granted to use heavy machinery like Hitachi excavators, which are considered to violate forest protection laws. The excavation will therefore be conducted manually using laborers.

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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.