Dharmasthala cases: Kin of missing woman willing to cooperate if 1986 case is reopened
Mangaluru, July 24 (PTI): The sister of a 19-year-old woman, who went missing nearly four decades ago in Dharmasthala on Thursday expressed her willingness to cooperate with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) if the case is reopened.
Padmalatha, a second-year pre-university student in Ujire, was reported missing on December 22, 1986, after she left home to attend her college’s annual day celebration.
After nearly two months, her skeletal remains were discovered with her limbs tied, indicating possible foul play.
Speaking to reporters, Padmalatha’s sister Chandravathy said that despite large public protests at the time, the case had failed to progress even after being transferred to the CID.
“The case was eventually closed with no resolution,” she said.
However, the recent formation of an SIT to examine multiple high-profile cold cases in the region has renewed hope for justice, Chandravathy said.
“If the SIT decides to reopen Padmalatha’s case, I am ready to extend full cooperation,” she added.
There has been renewed public and media interest in long-pending cases in Dharmasthala, particularly after recent allegations surrounding unidentified graves found in the area.
No official announcement has been made yet on whether Padmalatha’s case will be taken up afresh.
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Karnataka BJP MLA caught taking Rs 5 lakh bribe remanded to judicial custody
Bengaluru (PTI): BJP MLA Dr Chandru Lamani, caught allegedly accepting a Rs 5 lakh bribe from a contractor, has been remanded to judicial custody until March 3.
The Shirahatti MLA, a doctor, was brought from Gadag to Bengaluru on Saturday night and produced before a Special Court for Public Representatives, sources said.
The court remanded him to custody until March 3.
The MLA was caught in a Lokayukta trap following a complaint by Vijay Pujar, a Class-1 contractor from Chinchali in Gadag district.
Lokayukta officials said the alleged bribe was linked to Minor Irrigation Department works, including the construction of retaining walls along a road. The accused had demanded Rs 11 lakh from the complainant to execute the project, and Rs 5 lakh was accepted during the trap.
Along with Lamani, his personal assistants, Manjunath Valmiki and Guru Naik, were also arrested in connection with the case.
