Dharmasthala mass burials case: Enquiry initiated over identity leak of complainant witness
Dharmasthala: An official enquiry has been initiated against individuals responsible for allegedly leaking the identity of the Dharmasthala mass burials case complainant witness, read a release from Dr. Arun K., Superintendent of Police, Dakshina Kannada district.
The action comes after important personal details, such as the complainant’s age, nature and duration of work, and place of employment, were circulated on public platforms by those representing the complainant, making it easier for locals to identify him.
Despite the leak, authorities have decided to maintain the witness's identity undisclosed for all official purposes. The investigation into the breach is being carried out by the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Bantwal.
Meanwhile, the district administration approved witness protection for the complainant under the Witness Protection Scheme, 2018, with immediate effect from the evening of July 10.
On Friday, July 11, the complainant appeared before the Principal Civil Judge and JMFC Court in Belthangady to record his statement.
During the proceedings, the complainant also produced skeletal remains, which he claimed to have exhumed himself. The remains were seized by police in the presence of the complainant’s advocates and panch witnesses.
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K’taka HC declines stay on menstrual leave order, says issue of public importance
Bengaluru: The State Government has strongly defended its decision to grant one day of paid menstrual leave every month to women employees, telling the Karnataka High Court that the notification was issued in the larger interest of women and is legally sound. The Court, treating the matter as one of significant public importance, refused to stay the implementation of the order and adjourned the hearing to January 20.
The Labour Department’s November 20, 2025 notification was challenged by the Bangalore Hotels Association, Avirat Defence System, Facile Aerospace Technologies Ltd and Samos Technologies Ltd. Justice Jyoti Mulimani heard the petitions on Wednesday.
At the start of the hearing, the bench asked whether the State had filed its objections. Advocate General K. Shashikiran Shetty informed the Court that objections had been submitted and that copies would be provided to the petitioners.
Defending the notification, the Advocate General said the government had introduced a progressive measure aimed at women’s welfare, one that no other state in India had implemented so far. He told the Court that 72 objections were received and considered before finalising the notification. He argued that the government was empowered to frame such policy under Article 42 of the Constitution and noted that the Supreme Court and the Law Commission had earlier made recommendations in this direction.
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When the Court asked whether the notification applied to all sectors, the Advocate General replied in the affirmative. The bench observed that the matter required detailed hearing because of its wider public impact and decided to take it up in January. The Court added that petitioners may file their responses to the State’s objections before the next hearing.
Petitioners’ counsel B.K. Prashanth requested that the State be restrained from enforcing the order until the case is decided. The Advocate General responded that the government had already begun implementing the notification across all sectors.
Justice Mulimani noted that nothing would change between now and the next hearing and emphasised that the Court would consider all arguments thoroughly before issuing any direction. The bench then adjourned the matter to January 20 and asked petitioners to file any additional applications with copies to the State’s counsel.
