BJP holds mega rally in Dharmasthala, demands central probe into allegations of murders, burials
Dharmasthala (PTI): The BJP on Monday organised a massive rally in Dharmasthala, demanding a central agency probe into allegations of multiple murders, rapes, and burials in the temple town.
According to the party, nearly one lakh people from across Karnataka participated in the demonstration, which it described as a show of solidarity against what it termed an "attempt to vilify the temple and its traditions."
The 'Dharmasthala Chalo' rally saw the participation of Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, former Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka, BJP state president B Y Vijayendra, MPs, and other senior leaders.
Addressing the gathering, Vijayendra urged the Centre to hand over the case to either the CBI or the NIA.
He accused the Congress government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of "failing to deliver justice to the Hindu community."
Vijayendra questioned the credibility of the SIT formed by the state, claiming, "Congress should not test the patience of crores of devotees." He also visited the family of a girl who was allegedly raped and murdered over a decade ago, assuring her mother that the party would continue pressing for justice in the case.
The alleged rape and murder of the 17-year-old college student in 2012 remains a sensitive issue in coastal Karnataka. The BJP leader’s visit comes amid renewed public attention, following protests and calls for an impartial investigation.
Meanwhile, Joshi accused the Siddaramaiah-led government of "appeasement politics" and said allegations of hidden graves at Dharmasthala were intended to malign a major Hindu pilgrimage centre. "If such claims were made about a mosque or church, would pits be dug without evidence?" he asked, calling for vigilance against what he termed "divisive politics".
Party leaders said the rally aimed to counter a "smear campaign" against one of Karnataka’s most prominent religious and cultural centres.
Ashoka alleged "urban Naxal influence" in the case and said the SIT was targeting "small fish" instead of the real culprits.
The Congress government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations. However, the BJP maintained that only a central agency "could ensure a transparent investigation."
Earlier in the day, Vijayendra and Ashoka, along with a delegation of BJP leaders, visited the Manjunatha temple, offered prayers, and met the temple's Dharmadhikari, Veerendra Heggade.
The controversy erupted after a complainant, later identified as C N Chinnaiah, alleged that dozens of bodies—including those of women showing signs of sexual assault—had been buried in Dharmasthala over the past two decades. Chinnaiah has since been arrested on charges of perjury.
The SIT has conducted search operations at multiple sites along the forested banks of the Netravathi River, identified by the complainant, where skeletal remains were recovered at two locations.
On Sunday, the JD(S), led by youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy, organised a similar demonstration in Dharmasthala under the banner of ‘Dharmasthala Sathya Yatre,’ also seeking a central probe.
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1,850 missing mobile phones recovered as Delhi Police focusses on victim-centric policing
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi Police has recovered 1,850 stolen and lost mobile phones worth around Rs 4 crore in past 40 days under "Mission Reconnect", an initiative aimed at returning phones to their rightful owners in outernorth Delhi, an official said on Saturday.
The recovered phones were traced from different parts of the country, including remote areas, through technical surveillance and sustained field operations, police said, adding that the devices were handed over to their owners during a programme at the Sports Ground, New Police Lines, Kingsway Camp.
The initiative focused on a victim-centric approach and aimed at strengthening public trust through proactive policing and coordinated efforts across states, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outernorth) Hareshwar Swami said.
As part of the programme, teams performed 'nukkad nataks' and screened awareness videos on cybercrime, drug abuse prevention, and senior citizen safety, sensitising the public about digital frauds and safety measures, officials said.
The initiative combines technology, investigation and community participation to ensure recovery of lost property and reconnect citizens with their valuables, they added.
