Dharmasthala: Advocate alleges fresh soil dumped at Bahubali Hill to destroy possible evidence
Bengaluru: Serious allegations of evidence tampering have emerged in the ongoing investigation into the Dharmasthala missing persons case. Advocate Manjunath N, who represents Sujatha Bhat, the mother of missing medical student Ananya Bhat, has claimed that a large quantity of fresh soil and waste was recently dumped in a sensitive forest area at the foot of Bahubali Hill, possibly to erase crucial evidence.
In a press release issued along with photographs, the advocate stated that excavation work had been undertaken in the forested zone on Saturday. However, according to him, around 10 feet of fresh soil and assorted waste were later deposited at the site, raising strong suspicion of foul play.
The location in question, he noted, is of particular significance to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the whistleblower’s allegations of mass burials in and around Dharmasthala. The dumping, he suggested, may have been carried out by influential vested interests seeking to obstruct the investigation.
Despite digging up to seven feet in the area where the fresh soil was placed, no human remains were found. Advocate Manjunath alleged that if such remains have now disappeared, it is unlikely to be due to natural causes and more probably the result of a deliberate attempt to remove or conceal them.
“The choice of this sensitive area for dumping waste so recently is highly suspicious,” he said in his statement, expressing confidence that the SIT would uncover the “conspiracy” behind the act.
The SIT is yet to issue an official statement regarding the allegations.
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10 held for sale of prohibited narcotic substances in Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): In a major crackdown, the Bengaluru police on Thursday announced the arrest of 10 people allegedly involved in the sale of prohibited narcotic substances in parts of the city.
Among them are three foreign nationals, including two women, they said.
With their arrests, police claimed to have seized 5 kg of MDMA (crystal), 1 kg of cocaine, 21 kg ganja, and 19 gms ecstasy pills and a two-wheeler used in the commission of crime.
The seized drugs are worth Rs 11.81 crore, with an estimated market value of Rs 23.63 crore, they added.
According to police, based on credible information received on various dates, officers and staff came to know that prohibited narcotic substances such as MDMA (crystal), cocaine, ganja, and ecstasy pills were being sold within the limits of Yelahanka New Town, D J Halli, Koramangala, Bommanahalli, and Pulakeshinagar Police Stations.
Acting on this information, cases were registered under the NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act at the respective police stations, and raids were conducted at the identified locations, a senior police officer said.
During these operations, a total of 10 accused persons were apprehended on different dates, he said.
During interrogation, the accused confessed that, with the intention of making quick money, they were procuring narcotic substances such as MDMA (crystal), cocaine, ganja, and ecstasy pills from foreign, interstate, and local unidentified suppliers at lower prices, and selling them to the public, including college students, the officer said.
Efforts are on to trace the foreign and interstate suppliers involved in supplying these narcotic substances. Investigation in the cases is in progress, police said.
All 10 accused were produced before the Court on different dates and have been remanded to judicial custody, they added.
