Bengaluru, Oct 10 (NationPress) A formal complaint has been lodged with the Home Secretary and the Bengaluru Police Commissioner, calling for the reopening of the notorious 2003 bomb planting case involving Girish Mattannavar, an activist who has been vocally opposing temple authorities in the contested Dharmasthala murders case.

Social activist Prashant Sambargi has submitted a new complaint, requesting a thorough reinvestigation of the case and suggesting that it be transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

In support of his claim, the complainant provided 15 videos and additional documents to the authorities.

It’s important to note that Mattannavar, who previously served as a Sub-Inspector at the Narona Police Station in Kalaburagi district, was accused of planting bombs during his time in Bengaluru for rifle-shooting training.

He allegedly placed four bombs in the toilets on the fifth floor of the Legislators’ Home and then called the police to alert them to the situation, claiming it was a campaign against political corruption. Subsequently, he and others were arrested.

However, the local court acquitted Mattannavar and his associates in September 2016.

In his complaint, Sambargi emphasized, “Mattannavar has publicly declared in several videos that he created and planted the bombs, admitting to his actions. This is evident. Despite the court's dismissal of the case, the emergence of new evidence and documents warrants a reinvestigation.”

Mattannavar has previously stated that constructing a bomb using gelatin and other materials is straightforward. The complaint insists that the NIA investigate Mattannavar and that the original bomb planting incident be revisited.

Additionally, Mattannavar has called for the arrest of Dharmadhikari and BJP Rajya Sabha member Veerendra Hegde along with his family in relation to the Dharmasthala case. He remains a key figure among activists addressing the Dharmasthala controversy.

Following his acquittal in the bomb case, Mattannavar ventured into politics, joining the BJP, but later distanced himself from the party. He has since been actively involved in anti-corruption movements and protests against the Dharmasthala temple management.

Authorities had previously apprehended his associates, Guranna Ammapura and Girish Babu, in connection with the bomb incident. The trial extended over 13 years, concluding with the acquittal of all three individuals, with police attributing the acquittal to a lack of sufficient evidence.