‘How many such cases has Dharmasthala case probe officer handled?’ SC Adv.KV Dhananjay questions
Bengaluru: Supreme Court Advocate K V Dhananjay has raised serious concerns about the qualifications of the police officer appointed to investigate the Dharmasthala mass burial case complaint, questioning how many rape, murder, and body-exhumation cases the officer has handled in the past. “Does this officer possess the expertise required for a case of this scale and sensitivity, which the police department claims?” he asked.
In a press release, Dhananjay remarked that the alleged incident in Dharmasthala, where hundreds of rape and murder victims are said to have been buried, is unprecedented in the past 100 years of Indian judicial history. The officer appointed to lead the investigation is reportedly around 29 years old and serves as a Sub-Inspector at the Dharmasthala police station.
“How many similar cases involving rape, murder, and exhumation has this officer solved? Does the police department officially state that this officer is qualified for a case of this nature?” he reiterated.
Dhananjay stressed that if the government genuinely cares about public concern, it must issue a clear statement about the credentials of the appointed investigation officer. Only after this clarification should discussions on the investigation’s progress continue, he asserted.
The advocate also provided a timeline of developments in the case, the complainant’s legal team publicly announced their intent to file a complaint on June 22, 2025. The complaint was submitted to the Dakshina Kannada police on July 3. That very night, a revised version of the complaint was made public. The FIR was officially registered on July 4, and its updated version was also released to the public, Dhananjay said.
He further pointed out that even in Bengaluru, where murder investigations are handled by experienced officers, only 9 out of every 100 cases result in conviction. His team studied judgments from Bengaluru’s Sessions Courts over the past seven years and concluded that conviction rates remain alarmingly low despite expertise, raising concerns over entrusting such a grave case to a relatively junior officer.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Worker’s body reaches Ranchi from Saudi 4 months after death; family rejects over compensation
Ranchi (PTI): The body of a migrant worker from Jharkhand’s Giridih district killed in Saudi Arabia in October last year has arrived at Ranchi Airport, but his family refused to accept it over pending compensation, officials said.
Shikha Lakra, team leader of the state migrant control cell, told PTI that, before taking the body of Vijay Kumar Mahato, the family is demanding compensation from the private company where he used to work in the Arab country.
Mahato was killed in an alleged crossfire between the police and criminals.
“Since it was a bullet injury case, the matter is before a court in Jeddah. The final compensation may depend on the court’s decision,” Lakra said.
“The Indian Embassy informed us about the body’s arrival, and coordination was done with district authorities. Our role is limited to coordination in cases involving overseas employers and foreign jurisdiction,” she added.
Giridih Deputy Commissioner Ram Niwas Yadav said the authorities will try to convince the family to perform the last rites.
“We have already sanctioned Rs 5 lakh under the government scheme for migrant’s deaths abroad. The compensation payment might take some time,” he said.
The body is currently at the mortuary of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi.
The Family members said they will only accept it if the company provides written assurance regarding compensation. “Without that assurance, we will not receive the body,” said Ram Prasad Mahato, the deceased’s brother-in-law.
Mahato, a native of Dudhpaniya village in Madh Gopali panchayat under Dumri block, was employed as a tower line fitter. His family said he was struck by a bullet during a gunfight between local police and an extortion gang and later succumbed to his injuries.
Social activist Sikander Ali said Mahato is survived by his wife, two young sons aged five and three, and elderly parents.
