Mother of Sowjanya files PIL in K'taka HC seeking 74 separate FIRs in Dharmasthala deaths case
Bengaluru: A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Karnataka High Court by Kusumavathi, mother of the late Sowjanya, seeking court directions to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to register 74 separate FIRs and conduct a comprehensive investigation into the alleged unnatural deaths reported in Dharmasthala between 1990 and 2021.
The petition claims that the bodies of several unidentified persons were allegedly buried in the Dharmasthala region over a span of 31 years. Despite multiple appeals from families of victims, the SIT has allegedly failed to initiate individual cases or act on the detailed representations made earlier.
Details of the petition
According to the plea, the petitioner and other affected families had submitted a written request to the SIT on October 11, 2025, demanding separate FIRs for all 74 cases. The submission reportedly included detailed information such as dates, locations, UDR (Unnatural Death Report) numbers, and burial sites.
However, as no action was taken, the families have now approached the High Court. The PIL names the SIT as a respondent and seeks judicial oversight to ensure an impartial and effective investigation free from external influence.
Key prayers in the PIL
The petitioner has requested the court to:
Direct the SIT to register individual FIRs for all 74 alleged unnatural death cases and assign separate case numbers.
Appoint individual investigating officers for each case, ensuring personal accountability.
Use scientific tools such as ground-penetrating radar to locate burial sites, exhume remains for forensic examination, and conduct DNA and physical matching tests with missing person reports.
Identify victims through forensic pathology and record witness statements to trace possible perpetrators.
Publish public notices in at least three widely circulated newspapers (in Kannada and English) and on a government website with details such as the date, location, gender, and age of each case, enabling families of missing persons to contact the SIT.
Submit monthly progress reports on the investigation to the High Court.
Clarification by petitioner
The PIL emphasises that it does not seek to interfere with or criticize the functioning of the SIT. Instead, it calls for judicial supervision to ensure that the investigation proceeds “without political, social, or external pressures” and within the “framework of law and justice.”
The case is yet to be listed before a division bench of the Karnataka High Court for hearing.
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India moving towards becoming global economic powerhouse: Kovind
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Amritsar (PTI): Former president Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said that with digital transformation, economic reforms and a strong focus on the ease of doing business, India is moving towards becoming a global economic powerhouse.
He was speaking after inaugurating the 19th edition of the Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) in Amritsar.
The former president said that this 19th edition of PITEX is being organised at a time when India is recognised as one of the fastest-growing large economies in the world.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the event organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) the former president, while referring to Punjab, said the state is a living example of courage, sacrifice and enterprise.
"The spiritual light of Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) inspires peace and humanity across the world. The heritage of Punjab is deep and inspiring," Kovind said, according to a statement issued by the PITEX.
The former president congratulated the PHDCCI for hosting the 19th edition of PITEX and suggested that the chamber should expand PITEX outside Punjab.
He proposed that a similar event should also be held in New Delhi.
