Is There Any Pressure on the Karnataka Government Regarding the Dharmasthala Mass Grave Controversy?

Bengaluru, July 20 (NationPress) Karnataka's Home Minister G. Parameshwara asserted on Sunday that the state administration is taking the allegations of a mass grave in Dharmasthala very seriously. He emphasized that the government is not influenced by any external pressures while addressing this serious matter.

In light of the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) composed of senior IPS officers, Parameshwara commented, "This matter is not being taken lightly. Typically, when a complaint is lodged, an FIR is filed, and a preliminary investigation follows. As more facts surface, the significance of the investigation increases. Hence, we have opted for a comprehensive inquiry."

He added, "There is absolutely no question of the government acting under duress. Our decisions are made after a thorough evaluation of the case's implications, and they are based solely on the realities on the ground." This statement came in response to inquiries about the government's stance.

Initially, a preliminary investigation was directed at the local police station level, which has been ongoing. However, due to rising public demand for a more in-depth inquiry, the government is committed to transparency on this matter. After careful consideration, a decision has now been made.

"We will now await the findings of the investigation. I previously mentioned that a preliminary inquiry should be conducted regarding the alleged murders in Dharmasthala, and I also indicated that a high-level probe would be initiated if deemed necessary," he reiterated.

Parameshwara remarked that he had convened with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and DGP & IGP M.A. Saleem to discuss the situation, which led to the decision to form the SIT. Pronab Mohanty, a senior IPS official, will lead this team, which has been instructed to conduct a thorough investigation and report back to the DGP & IGP. The team is set to commence its work.

In a significant development, the Siddaramaiah-led government has established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) consisting of four senior IPS officers to investigate the alleged murders in Dharmasthala.

The SIT's formation was prompted by requests from the State Women's Commission, retired Supreme Court Justice V. Gopala Gowda, and various activists.

This situation is expected to create controversy, given that Dharmasthala is a well-known Hindu pilgrimage site in Karnataka.

The SIT will be led by IPS officer Pronab Mohanty, along with DIG (Recruitment) M.N. Anuchet, DCP (City Armed Reserve) Sowmyalatha, and Jitendra Kumar, Superintendent of Police in the Internal Security Department.

The government stated that establishing the SIT is a fitting response to the State Women’s Commission’s appeal and the case filed at the Dharmasthala Police Station under Section 211(a) of the BNS Act. The SIT will also look into any connected criminal cases that may arise in other police stations throughout the state.

On July 11, an unidentified complainant, who alleged that he was coerced into burying several bodies of women who had been raped and murdered in Dharmasthala village, presented his testimony before a court in Karnataka’s Mangaluru district last Friday.