Will Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Stand Firm on Dharmasthala Murders?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah's firm stance against external pressures
- Key witness emerges after a decade of hiding
- Allegations of sexual assault and murder have shocked the state
- Call for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) by activists
- Investigation will proceed strictly according to the law
Mysuru, July 18 (NationPress) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated on Friday that his administration will not succumb to any external pressures regarding the investigation of the alleged Dharmasthala murders.
Located in Karnataka, Dharmasthala is a renowned Hindu pilgrimage destination.
In response to a retired judge's request for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) inquiry, he asserted that the government would pursue legal action in this case. "We cannot act in violation of the law," he emphasized.
Recently, an individual linked to the case came forward after a decade of being in hiding and provided a statement to the police. He claimed to have buried the deceased and is willing to identify the burial sites. The government will consult with the police department before deciding on the formation of an SIT. The investigation will adhere strictly to legal protocols, and the government will resist any forms of pressure,” assured CM Siddaramaiah.
On July 11, the unnamed complainant, who alleged coercion to bury multiple victims of rape and murder in the Dharmasthala village, appeared in court in Karnataka’s Mangaluru district to record his testimony.
He submitted his statement under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) before Principal Civil Judge and First Class Judicial Magistrate Sandesh K.
Accompanied by a team of lawyers and police, he entered the courtroom with his face concealed. The event has ignited considerable controversy.
He has requested the police to exhume the bodies in his presence, citing a need for personal and familial protection.
His account indicates that he fled Dharmasthala 11 years prior, alleging that the bodies of the women exhibited clear signs of sexual assault.
The victims were discovered without clothing and bore injuries indicative of violent actions, shocking the state.
A former Supreme Court judge and activists have called for an SIT investigation overseen by the Supreme Court or the High Court into these disturbing murders involving multiple women and others.