Karnataka Government Constitutes SIT to Probe Alleged Murders, Sexual Assaults in Dharmasthala

Strategic Insights -

The Karnataka government has constituted a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the allegations of multiple murders, sexual assaults, and cases of missing women in the Dharmasthala region of Dakshina Kannada district over the past two decades. The allegations came to light when a sanitation worker filed a complaint with the police that he was forced to bury bodies, including those of women and minors, in the temple town between 1995 and 2014. The SIT will be headed by director-general of police (internal security division) Pranav Mohanty and will include additional commissioner of police (recruitment) M.N. Anucheth, deputy commissioner of police (CAR headquarters) Soumya Latha, and superintendent of police (internal security division) Jitendra Kumar Dayama.

Key Takeaways:

  • The allegations of mass graves and multiple murders, sexual assaults, and cases of missing women in the Dharmasthala region date back to the 1990s and have been reportedly swept under the carpet by the local administration.
  • A sanitation worker who filed a complaint with the police claimed that he was forced to bury dozens of bodies, including those of women and minors, in the temple town between 1995 and 2014.
  • The SIT will probe the crimes registered under relevant sections of the BNS at the Dharmasthala police station as well as all other related criminal cases registered/ to be registered in other police stations across Karnataka.
  • Home minister G. Parameshwara confirmed that the government had constituted an SIT to look into the allegations, citing public pressure and demands from various quarters, including the state commission for women.
  • The sensational case has put the Siddaramaiah government under scrutiny, with some Congress leaders suspecting that the issue might be politically motivated.

Statistics:

  • The allegations of multiple murders, sexual assaults, and cases of missing women in the Dharmasthala region date back to the 1990s.
  • Between 1995 and 2014, a sanitation worker reportedly buried dozens of bodies, including those of women and minors, in the temple town.
  • The SIT will probe 20 years worth of crimes registered under relevant sections of the BNS at the Dharmasthala police station.

Sources:

  • ABP Private Limited news article, "Karnataka Government Forms SIT to Probe Dharmasthala Allegations"
  • Contify.com news article, "Karnataka Government Constitutes SIT to Probe Alleged Murders, Sexual Assaults in Dharmasthala"