Dharmasthala Mass Burial Case: Citing tip-off, SP says complainant may flee after exhumation
Says grave digging will happen at right time
Mangaluru, July 16: In a fresh development in the ongoing Dharmasthala mass burial case, Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Dr Arun K has issued a formal statement responding to the latest allegations, clearing the air on the current status of the investigation and detailing the legal steps being followed.
One of the most striking parts of the statement is the police’s concern that the witness complainant whose revelations have triggered this high-profile case might go into hiding once the grave-digging process is completed. The SP confirmed that this possibility has been flagged by local sources and conveyed to the lawyers representing the witness. He said that authorities are taking this concern seriously and are examining it closely as it could have significant implications for the investigation’s credibility and outcome.
“Local sources have reportedly tipped off the police about the possibility that the witness-complainant might abscond after the exhumation process is completed. There are growing concerns that the urgency being shown in pushing for grave digging without following proper legal procedures could be linked to this suspicion,” the SP stated in the press statement.
The SP’s remarks come at a time when the complainant’s lawyers have accused the police of delaying exhumation of human remains despite the witness's cooperation and submission of skeletal fragments. Responding to these accusations, the SP clarified that any exhumation will take place only when the investigating officer deems it necessary and legally appropriate. He stressed that the process will strictly follow legal protocol and cannot be rushed under pressure.
The case, which has caught attention across Karnataka and even nationally, revolves around explosive claims made by a former sanitation worker who alleged that he was forced to bury several bodies in and around Dharmasthala village many years ago. Earlier this month, he appeared before a magistrate and submitted skeletal remains as initial evidence, which has since been sent for forensic analysis.
In his statement, the SP also revealed that the police team has learned recently that a petition connected to this case has already been filed before the Hon’ble Supreme Court. However, this critical piece of information was not shared with the investigation team by the complainant or his legal counsel. The police are now in the process of verifying the nature and relevance of this petition to the current investigation. The SP added that the police should have been informed about such a significant legal step, especially as it may have implications on the ongoing proceedings.
Another major point addressed was the police’s formal request to the court seeking permission to conduct forensic tests on the witness-complainant. The SP said a report has been submitted seeking court approval for brain mapping, fingerprint analysis, and narco analysis. These procedures, however, will only be undertaken if the complainant gives his written consent.
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Defeated delimitation bill in Parliament to defend idea of India: Cong leader Rahul Gandhi
Chennai (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said the opposition parties defeated the delimitation bill in the Parliament on Friday to defend the "idea of India."
Addressing a poll rally at Ponneri here, he said the BJP-led government at the Centre brought a new bill on April 16, and said they were trying to pass the women's bill, which he said was passed in 2023.
"In the so-called Women's Bill, delimitation was hidden. The idea was to reduce Tamil Nadu's representation in the Union of India... the delimitation move by BJP was to weaken the strength of southern states, small states, north eastern states," he alleged.
"We defeated in Parliament, a bill in which delimitation was hidden; we defeated it to defend the idea of India."
Rahul added that India that is Bharat, is a union of states, and every single state should have a voice, be free to express itself, and protect its tradition.
