Mother of student who went missing 22 years ago files complaint at Dharmasthala police station
Belthangady: Two decades after her daughter mysteriously disappeared during a visit to Dharmasthala, Sujata Bhat (60), the mother of missing MBBS student Ananya Bhat, formally filed a police complaint at Dharmasthala Police Station on Monday evening seeking fresh probe into the matter in light of the recent revealations in the Dharmasthala Mass Burial case.
Earlier in the day, Sujata Bhat, accompanied by her advocate Manjunath N, met the Superintendent of Police of Dakshina Kannada district, seeking justice and a renewed investigation into the case. Based on the SP’s advice, she later visited the Dharmasthala Police Station and submitted her complaint around 8 PM to Sub-Inspector Samarth R. Ganiger.
Ananya Bhat, who was 20 years old and studying MBBS, had gone missing in 2003 after visiting the Dharmasthala temple along with two of her friends. Despite efforts, the family received no information about her whereabouts for 22 years.
The case has gained renewed attention in light of the recent mass burial allegations in Dharmasthala. A former sanitation worker recently submitted a letter to the police, claiming that he had buried several bodies under pressure. He later appeared before the Belthangady court and gave a sworn statement, also producing a human skeleton, which has been sent for forensic examination.
After watching reports of the mass burial allegations on YouTube, Sujata Bhat was prompted to take legal steps. In her statement to the media from the Dharmasthala police station, she said:
"I came here not to accuse anyone. I only want the remains of my daughter, if found, to be handed over to me after a proper DNA test. I want to give her a dignified farewell as per Hindu customs. I don't want anything else."
Police have registered the complaint and assured that further investigation will follow.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Goa nightclub blaze: Three senior government officials suspended
Panaji (PTI) Three senior officials of the Goa government, including the then Director of Panchayat, were suspended on Sunday in connection with the nightclub fire tragedy for their role in allowing the facility to start operations in 2023, a senior officer said.
A massive fire tore through the nightclub in the early hours of Sunday, claiming 25 lives, including five tourists and 20 staff members.
The suspended officials include Siddhi Tushar Harlankar, who was then Director of Panchayat, Dr Shamila Monteiro, who was then Member Secretary of the Goa State Pollution Control Board, and Raghuvir Bagkar, then Secretary of Village Panchayat Arpora-Nagoa.
They are held responsible for giving permission to 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub at Arpora to start its operations in 2023, a senior officer said.
Police questioned Roshan Redkar, the sarpanch of Arpora-Nagoa Panchayat, who had issued a trade licence to the club.
