Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has stressed before the people not to politicize the Dharmasthala mass burials issue, clarifying that the state government supports none of the stakeholders in the case but stands up for only justice.

The DCM, who spoke to reporters outside his residence in Sadashiv Nagar on Saturday morning, said, “The family of the pontiff of Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala, Dr. Veerendra Heggade, has met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and appreciated the government decision to appoint a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case. The CM as well as the Home Minister have already made it clear that the guilty party will have to face strict action.”

The DCM was reminded, in the backdrop of SIT arrest of the anonymous complainant, that he had first alleged that the case was propaganda. In response, Shivakumar agreed and said, “The BJP was making vague, illogical statements so far. It was only after I stated so that the members began commenting on the Dharmasthala issue.”

When asked about complainant Sujatha Bhat’s claims regarding Ananya Bhat, however, the DCM said that the matter would be handled by the Home Minister.

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Medininagar (PTI): A couple and their 18-year-old son were allegedly hacked to death over suspicion of practising witchcraft in Jharkhand's Palamu, police said on Sunday.

Their minor daughter was also injured in the attack late on Saturday, a police officer said.

The bodies were recovered from their house on Sunday in Panki police station area, he said.

“Initial investigation suggests that the case is related to witchcraft suspicion,” Manoj Kumar Jha, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Lesliganj told PTI.

A manhunt is on to nab the culprits, Jha said.

The girl suffered severe injuries and has been admitted to a government hospital, he said.

The deceased have been identified as Vijay Bhuiyan (45), his wife Kalia Devi (40), and their son Chotu Bhuiyan.

The bodies have been sent to Medinirai Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) for post-mortem examination.