Will Karnataka hand over the Dharmasthala case to NIA?

Bengaluru, Sep 2 (NationPress) Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara announced on Tuesday that the state government will not transfer the alleged Dharmasthala mass murders case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). However, he stated that if the Enforcement Directorate (ED) chooses to launch its own investigation into the supposed "conspiracy funding" case, the state cannot intervene.

During a press briefing in Bengaluru, HM Parameshwara remarked, “The BJP is calling for an NIA inquiry into this matter. There is no need to hand over the Dharmasthala case to the NIA. We have established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) that is actively conducting its work. Given that the SIT is already engaged in the investigation, transferring the case to another agency is unnecessary.”

“I have made my stance clear, and the Chief Minister has also reiterated it. The BJP is diverting the case in new directions every day with their demands. Handing the case over to the NIA is unwarranted,” he emphasized.

Regarding the alleged funding aimed at orchestrating a conspiracy against Dharmasthala, HM Parameshwara stated, “If the ED wishes to investigate the funding, they may proceed without our objection. They will examine the financial aspects from their own perspective.”

In response to BJP state President B.Y. Vijayendra visiting the home of Soujanya, a minor girl who was reportedly kidnapped, gang-raped, and murdered in Dharmasthala in 2012, HM Parameshwara affirmed, “I will maintain my position. We have assigned the Dharmasthala murder case to the SIT. They are calling for an NIA investigation, but we will not comply.”

“We cannot disclose any details until the investigation concludes. I have reiterated this. If the investigation is interfered with, such demands may arise. I am uncertain of their intentions—whether they aim to obstruct the investigation. It seems that way, as the SIT is conducting the investigation properly and there have been no errors on their part. The issue of transferring the case to another agency arises only if the current investigation has flaws,” HM Parameshwara explained.

He emphasized that there have been no shortcomings by the SIT thus far.

When queried about his meeting with SIT chief Pronab Mohanty, he stated, “Mohanty met with me for a different matter. He consults with me on various issues, and the SIT is among those topics. As he oversees the Internal Security Division (ISD), he has additional responsibilities. In that context, he provides me updates.”

Regarding a woman’s claim of witnessing a minor girl being kidnapped in Dharmasthala, HM Parameshwara asserted that all such claims will be investigated by the SIT.

“I do not react to every statement made by BJP leaders. Our responsibility is to ensure that the SIT continues its investigation and presents its findings,” he concluded.

On the ED's supposed interest in the case, HM Parameshwara remarked, “I am unaware of the specific terms under which the ED intends to investigate. According to the SIT’s terms of reference, the statement of Chinnaiah, the ‘mask man’ complainant, is currently under review by the court.”