Dharmasthala mass burials case: Another witness complainant comes before SIT
Mangaluru: A third individual, who has chosen to remain anonymous, has reportedly written to the Special Investigation Team (SIT), requesting to be included in the operation to exhume human remains allegedly buried secretly in Dharmasthala village. The complainant claims to have personally witnessed the locations where the first complainant was said to have buried the bodies.
Addressing the letter to SIT chief Pronab Mohanty, the third complainant mentioned that he is writing on behalf of the residents of Dharmasthala and surrounding villages. “As a villager, I have identified the person, the first complainant seen in broadcast media reports. I have seen him secretly transporting and burying bodies at multiple locations in Dharmasthala village, away from public view. Even though such burials were done in secrecy, you must be aware that nothing remains hidden in the villages,” the complainant wrote.
He requested to be independently involved in the operation to exhume the remains from the locations indicated by the first complainant. He further appealed to the SIT to allow him to independently identify the exact sites where he witnessed the secret burials.
The complainant also stated in the letter that the ongoing operations by the SIT, formed by the Chief Minister to ensure an impartial investigation into the alleged crimes in Dharmasthala, have encouraged him to step forward without fear. He expressed his determination to cooperate with the SIT, which he believes has been constituted for the safety and protection of the people.
Responding to the letter, an assistant investigating officer from the SIT confirmed receipt of the application and said it has been reviewed. The officer advised that any information or complaint regarding a crime should be submitted to the local jurisdictional police station.
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Prasidh, Kuldeep limit South Africa to 270 after De Kock's hundred
Visakhapatnam (PTI): India fought back gallantly through Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav after Quinton de Kock struck his 23rd hundred, keeping South Africa to a manageable 270 in the third and series-deciding final ODI, here Saturday.
India won the toss after judging the spin of the coin incorrectly 20 times in a row. They had little hesitation in inserting the Proteas into bat, a clear indication of dew factor dominating the thought.
After Arshdeep Singh sent back Ryan Rickelton early, De Kock (106, 89b, 8x4, 6x4) struck his seventh century against India and put on 113 runs off 124 balls with skipper Temba Bavuma (48, 67b) as the visitors moved to a healthy position.
De Kock was severe on Prasidh (4/66), who erred on length continuously in his first spell (2-0-27-0). The left-hander biffed the pacer for 6, 6, 4 in his second over to milk 18 runs.
The 32-year-old quickly pounced on anything that was short, and pacers Prasidh and Harshit offered him plenty of feed on his pet areas.
Bavuma was more sedate, and made runs through those typical dabs and jabs, occasionally unfurling a drive of elan.
De Kock moved to fifty in 42 balls, and never let the tempo down reaching his hundred in 79 balls.
India found temporary relief when Ravindra Jadeja induced a false slash from Bavuma to get caught by Virat Kohli at point.
The tourists got another move on through a 54-run partnership between De Kock and Matthew Breetzkle for the third wicket, and at 168 for two in 28 overs they were in a good position to press on.
But Breetzke's punishment of part-time spinner Tilak Varma forced a rethink in the Indian camp, as skipper KL Rahul brought back Prasidh for a second spell.
What a masterstroke it turned out to be! The Karnataka man broke the back of South Africa’s top and middle order in an exceptional second spell (4-0-11-3).
Breetzke was the first man to go, trapped plumb in front with a straight one and four balls later Aiden Markram uppishly chipped a fuller delivery to Kohli at short covers.
Prasidh soon castled De Kock, whose ugly cross-batted swipe failed to connect a full length delivery from the pacer.
All of a sudden, SA found themselves at a shaky 199 for five, losing three wickets in the space of three overs.
Once Prasidh was done away with the top and middle-order, left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep (4/41) took over and mopped up the tail as SA fell short of even a par total on this track.
