Dharmasthala case: Sujata Bhat’s lawyer urges SIT to use ground penetrating radar to locate remains
Advocate for Sujata Bhat says terrain changes over 11 years may have obscured burial sites
Mangaluru: Advocate Manjunath N., representing Sujata Bhat, the mother of missing medical student Ananya Bhat, has urged the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to deploy advanced Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technology at sites already identified and excavated by the witness-complainant in the Dharmasthala crime case.
In a press release dated August 3, 2025, he stated: “It is learnt that skeletal remains have been discovered at some of the 10 locations identified by the witness-complainant.”
Citing the witness’s own testimony, he added: “As the witness himself has stated, he left Dharmasthala in 2014. The Dharmasthala region experiences heavy rainfall and there is a high possibility of soil shifting and accumulation from one place to another.”
The advocate further explained the need for advanced forensic assistance: “Since considerable changes have occurred in the forest area over approximately 11 years, there is a high probability that the landmarks the witness had relied on in his memory may have changed or shifted.”
Reiterating a previous petition submitted on July 29, 2025, he formally requested: “We request the deployment of the most advanced Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) available in India to detect skeletal remains at the already excavated locations and in the surrounding areas.”
Describing the practicality of using GPR in the ongoing search, Manjunath N. noted: “We request that GPR units, which are comparable in size to machines used for clearing grass and weeds and which can be deployed with very few persons, be deployed to detect skeletal remains at the already excavated locations and in the surrounding areas.”
Commending the SIT’s efforts thus far, he said: “We once again commend the SIT for conducting the excavation process with the assistance of an excellent team.”
He also expressed confidence in the leadership involved: “Many experts anticipate that the SIT, led by Sri Pronab Mohanty, will implement GPR technology. We have unwavering faith and confidence that the Karnataka Government and the Hon’ble Chief Minister Sri Siddaramaiah will support the SIT in deploying GPRs.”
Finally, he called on the media to play an educational role in the public interest: “We request that the media provide to the public, information about GPRs and also, similarly, appeal to the SIT and the state government to deploy them.”
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
