Action can be taken if Dharmasthala complainant’s claims are false: Minister Parameshwara
Bengaluru, Aug 14 (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday told the Legislative Assembly that action can be taken under the law against the complainant-witness in the Dharmasthala "mass burial" case if the Special Investigation Team finds his allegations to be false.
Emphasising a fair and impartial probe, Parameshwara said, "There should be no politics or religion involved. The truth must emerge within the framework of the law."
His remarks came during a discussion in the Assembly, where BJP legislators criticised the government for its handling of the investigation and inaction against what they called a "slender campaign" targeting Dharmasthala and the temple there.
They demanded an interim report from the government and action against the complainant and others allegedly behind him, claiming the allegations were part of a "toolkit to denigrate Hindu gods and their places of worship."
The SIT, formed by the state government, is probing claims of mass murder, rape, and mass burials in Dharmasthala over the past two decades.
The complainant, a former sanitation worker whose identity has not been revealed, alleged that between 1995 and 2014 he was forced to handle bodies—including women and minors—and that some showed signs of sexual assault.
He has given a statement before a magistrate.
As part of the probe, the SIT has been conducting investigation at multiple locations identified by the complainant-witness in the forested areas along the banks of the Netravathi River in Dharmasthala, where some skeletal remains have been found at two sites so far.
Parameshwara appealed to members, saying, "My only request is that this issue should not take political or religious turns. Let me make it very clear—the government did not form the SIT under any pressure. We have not bowed to pressure so far and will not do so in the future. Our focus is solely on uncovering the truth and ensuring justice."
He added that everyone on the ruling side, including himself, has great respect and devotion towards Dharmasthala, and he has visited the temple multiple times.
Highlighting Dharmasthala’s widespread reverence nationwide and globally, the minister noted that under Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade’s leadership, the temple and its institutions support women’s welfare and educate thousands of students.
"Shouldn’t the truth behind these allegations come out? Should such claims be allowed to linger? We formed the SIT to find the truth, so that those facing allegations are treated fairly," he said.
Responding to questions about the progress of the SIT probe, Parameshwara said, "The police are doing their duty in the pursuit of justice, but that does not mean they will follow everything the complainant says. There is a limit, and the truth will emerge in due course."
He added, "If the claims are found to be false, there are provisions under the law, including BNSS, to punish those who make false allegations. No one can mislead the investigation."
Hitting back at BJP criticism, Parameshwara asked, "What wrong has the government done? What mistake have we made? We only want the truth to come out."
He further emphasised the independence of the SIT, stating, "The government has given the SIT a free hand. We haven’t made a single phone call to the SIT chief because we want the truth to come out."
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West Asia: India supplied 22,000 MT of high-speed diesel to Bangladesh in March, says MEA
New Delhi (PTI): Amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, India has supplied 22,000 metric tonnes of high-speed diesel to Bangladesh in March and has received a request from Seychelles and the Maldives to meet their energy requirements, the MEA said on Friday.
At his weekly briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in his response to a query related to requests received from India's neighbouring countries for fuel amid the West Asia situation, also said that India is "finalising a government-to-government agreement" for the supply of oil and gas, which will play an important role in reinforcing energy security of Mauritius.
The conflict in West Asia has now stretched to nearly 50 days, with global ramifications.
"So, we have received requests from our neighbouring countries for supply of fuel, and these are being looked into, keeping in mind our own requirements, availability and refining capacity," Jaiswal told reporters.
He further said India has "supplied 22,000 metric tonnes of high-speed diesel to Bangladesh in March 2026, and further supplies have continued this month as well".
"You would recall that last month we had supplied 38 metric tonnes of petroleum products to Sri Lanka as well," he added.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Mauritius last week, the MEA spokesperson said, adding, "We are finalising a government-to-government agreement for supply of oil and gas, which will play an important role in reinforcing the energy security of Mauritius".
As far as Nepal is concerned, there is an existing arrangement between Indian Oil Corporation and Nepal Oil Corporation to supply petroleum products to Nepal as per its requirements. The supplies are continuing without any interruption, he said.
Energy supplies to Bhutan also continue according to the existing arrangement.
"As I had mentioned earlier, we have received a request from Seychelles and the Maldives to meet their energy requirements. We continue to be in touch with them in this regard, and are considering the request keeping in mind our own domestic requirements and availability of fuel.
"I would also like to add that our neighbouring country governments have expressed appreciation for the uninterrupted supply, fuel supply to them during the West Asian conflict," Jaiswal said.
Global oil and gas prices surged after Iran restricted the transit of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow lane between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman that handles roughly 20 per cent of global oil and LNG trade.
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