Dharmasthala Mass Burial Case: Citing tip-off, SP says complainant may flee after exhumation
Says grave digging will happen at right time
Mangaluru, July 16: In a fresh development in the ongoing Dharmasthala mass burial case, Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Dr Arun K has issued a formal statement responding to the latest allegations, clearing the air on the current status of the investigation and detailing the legal steps being followed.
One of the most striking parts of the statement is the police’s concern that the witness complainant whose revelations have triggered this high-profile case might go into hiding once the grave-digging process is completed. The SP confirmed that this possibility has been flagged by local sources and conveyed to the lawyers representing the witness. He said that authorities are taking this concern seriously and are examining it closely as it could have significant implications for the investigation’s credibility and outcome.
“Local sources have reportedly tipped off the police about the possibility that the witness-complainant might abscond after the exhumation process is completed. There are growing concerns that the urgency being shown in pushing for grave digging without following proper legal procedures could be linked to this suspicion,” the SP stated in the press statement.
The SP’s remarks come at a time when the complainant’s lawyers have accused the police of delaying exhumation of human remains despite the witness's cooperation and submission of skeletal fragments. Responding to these accusations, the SP clarified that any exhumation will take place only when the investigating officer deems it necessary and legally appropriate. He stressed that the process will strictly follow legal protocol and cannot be rushed under pressure.
The case, which has caught attention across Karnataka and even nationally, revolves around explosive claims made by a former sanitation worker who alleged that he was forced to bury several bodies in and around Dharmasthala village many years ago. Earlier this month, he appeared before a magistrate and submitted skeletal remains as initial evidence, which has since been sent for forensic analysis.
In his statement, the SP also revealed that the police team has learned recently that a petition connected to this case has already been filed before the Hon’ble Supreme Court. However, this critical piece of information was not shared with the investigation team by the complainant or his legal counsel. The police are now in the process of verifying the nature and relevance of this petition to the current investigation. The SP added that the police should have been informed about such a significant legal step, especially as it may have implications on the ongoing proceedings.
Another major point addressed was the police’s formal request to the court seeking permission to conduct forensic tests on the witness-complainant. The SP said a report has been submitted seeking court approval for brain mapping, fingerprint analysis, and narco analysis. These procedures, however, will only be undertaken if the complainant gives his written consent.
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SC seeks ED's response on journalist's bail plea in money laundering case
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to file its response within three days on a bail plea of journalist Mahesh Langa in a money laundering case linked to an alleged financial fraud.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi also asked senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the jailed journalist, to file rejoinder, if needed, to the ED's response within two days of it being filed.
The top court fixed the case for further hearing on December 15.
During the brief hearing on Monday, Sibal said a journalist has been facing as many as six cases.
"The journalist is accused of extortion," the counsel for the ED said and sought a short adjournment on the ground that Solicitor General Tuhar Mehta was unavailable at the moment.
The top court on September 8 sought responses from the Gujarat government and the ED on Langa's bail plea.
While issuing the notices on Langa's bail plea, the bench asked, "What kind of a journalist is he?"
"With due respect, there are some very genuine journalists. But there are also people who on their scooter say we are 'patrakar' (journalists) and what they actually do everybody knows," the bench told Sibal.
Sibal replied that these are all allegations.
"In one FIR, he gets anticipatory bail, then a second FIR is lodged and again anticipatory bail is granted but now he is booked under a third FIR for income tax evasion. There are other things also against him," Sibal submitted.
He added that there is a background to the case also.
On July 31, the Gujarat High Court rejected Langa's bail plea in the money laundering case on the grounds that if released on bail, prejudice would be caused to the prosecution case.
On February 25, the ED said it arrested Langa in a money laundering investigation linked to an alleged financial fraud.
He was first arrested in October 2024 in a GST fraud case.
The money laundering case against Langa stems from two FIRs filed by Ahmedabad police on charges of fraud, criminal misappropriation, criminal breach of trust, cheating and causing wrongful loss of lakhs of rupees to certain people.
