Dharmasthala: Action based on SIT report, says HM
The Special Investigation Team, formed by the state government, is probing charges of multiple murders, rapes, and burials in different places in Dharmasthala, over the past two decades.The complainant-witness, a former sanitation worker, whose identity has not been revealed, has claimed that he worked in Dharmasthala between 1995 and 2014, and that he was forced to bury a number of bodies, including those of women and minors.He had alleged that some of the bodies showed signs of sexual assault. He has also given a statement before a magistrate in this regard.
'I can't say anything as of now. Anything can be said only based on the probe report. Whether it is an interim report or a final report. Until the report comes, I cannot comment on the matter,' Parameshwara said in response to a question about taking action against alleged conspiracies or wrong doings in connection with the Dharmasthala case.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, 'Once the report comes, we will all sit together, discuss and make an appropriate decision.'
As part of the probe, the SIT has been conducting exhumations at multiple locations identified by the complainant-witness in the forested areas along the banks of the Netravathi River in Dharmasthala, where some skeletal remains have been found at two sites so far.The BJP has been critical of the government's handling of the investigation and its inaction against what they called a 'slender campaign' targeting Dharmasthala and the temple there.They demanded an interim report from the government and action against the complainant and others allegedly behind him, claiming the allegations were part of a 'toolkit to denigrate Hindu gods and their places of worship.'Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has also alleged a 'conspiracy' to tarnish Dharmasthala's image, and has expressed confidence that it will come to light through the ongoing investigation.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
PAC constable dies of gunshot at Sitapur ammunition depot
Lucknow: A 25-year-old constable of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) died under mysterious circumstances after suffering a gunshot injury while on duty at the Central Ammunition Depot in Sitapur on Saturday morning. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the incident. The deceased, Himanshu Kumar of Ishwardev village in Amroha district, was a 2021 batch recruit and was attached to the 24th Battalion in Moradabad. He had been deputed to the Sitapur facility two months ago. According to police, Himanshu was stationed as a sentry at a 20-foot-high watchtower. Around 8.30 am, fellow personnel heard gunshots and rushed to the spot to find him critically injured. He was taken to the district hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead. Preliminary investigation suggests that the shots were fired from his service INSAS rifle and three rounds were fired. While suicide is one line of inquiry, investigators have not ruled out foul play. "At the time of the incident, earbuds were found in his ears. We are reviewing his last phone calls. Given the high security of the ammunition depot, the possibility of unauthorized entry is extremely low," said superintendent of police, Sitapur, Ankur Aggarwal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Benefits of Trading Bitcoin CFDs IC Markets Learn More Undo A forensic team collected evidence from the site. The Sitapur SP and 11th Battalion PAC Commandant Ravi Kumar visited the hospital. Officials confirmed there were no signs of forced entry at the location. Additional director general, PAC, RK Swarnkar told TOI, "Himanshu had spoken to his wife shortly before the incident and seemed emotionally disturbed. The INSAS rifle has both single-shot and burst-fire modes. It appears that the burst mode was activated when the fatal shots were fired." "The SIT will examine Himanshu's duty logs, weapon handling protocols, call records, and personal circumstances to determine the sequence of events that led to the incident," an official said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Economic Times
7 hours ago
- Economic Times
Bangladesh Army chief joins Janmashtami festivity in Dhaka
Synopsis Bangladesh Army chief General Waker-uz-Zaman reassured the Hindu community during Janmashtami celebrations in Dhaka, emphasizing equal rights and protection for all citizens. Joined by the Navy and Air Force chiefs, he signaled the military's commitment to safeguarding secular traditions against rising fundamentalist forces. He pledged unwavering support, ensuring a fear-free environment for religious observances. Agencies Bangladesh Army chief Gen Waker-uz-Zaman Bangladesh Army chief General Waker-uz-Zaman has stepped in to safeguard communal harmony as he celebrated Janmashtami in Dhaka. Speaking at an event on Saturday, Waker-uz-Zaman said Bangladesh belongs to everyone, and there should be no discrimination based on religion, ethnicity, race or that all citizens have equal rights in the country, he said, "You will live in this country without fear. We will always stand by your side."He was joined on the occasion by Navy chief Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, and Bangladesh Army's 9th Infantry Division GOC Major General Md Moin Khan, signalling that the military will play a critical role in protecting Bangladesh's secular traditions amid the rise of fundamentalist to the presence of the Navy chief, Air chief, and the GOC of the 9th Infantry Division, General Waker-uz-Zaman said: "Together, we will always stand beside you... You will live in this country without fear. Celebrate your religious festivals with joy. We will share in your celebrations together."
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Fatehpur remains peaceful onJanmashtamiamid tight vigil
Prayagraj: The atmosphere across Abunagar and its surrounding areas remained calm and incident-free during the celebration of Janmashtami on Saturday, according to police. Security was tightened across the Abunagar locality of Fatehpur, with the police maintaining strict surveillance and barricading all roads within a one-km radius of the disputed site. Amid concerns that some locals might attempt to enter the disputed site at Abunagar Eidgah to perform religious rituals on Janmashtami, Abunagar and nearby areas under Kotwali Nagar police station in Fatehpur district were transformed into a security fortress on Saturday. In response, senior police and administrative officials enforced prohibitory orders and ramped up surveillance across the sensitive zone. The heightened security followed clashes on Aug 11 (Monday), when members of Hindu organisations allegedly entered the Eidgah premises and hoisted saffron flags atop a 200-year-old mausoleum located within the compound. The group claimed the mausoleum had been built over a temple site. The police had already lodged an FIR against 10 named individuals and 150 unidentified people for disturbing peace. Those named in the FIR included Abhishek Shukla, Dharmendra, Ashish Trivedi, Pappu Singh, Prasoon, Ritik Pal, Vinay Tiwari, Pushpraj Patel, Ajay Singh and Devnath Dhakre. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Could This NEW Collagen Blend Finally Reduce Your Cellulite? Vitauthority Learn More Undo However, no arrest was made till Sunday evening. A senior cop told TOI, "The police intensified patrolling in Abunagar and adjoining areas on Janmashtami and deployed drones for strict surveillance. " He added, "The Kotwali police have registered three separate FIRs against three social media users on the charges of uploading inflammatory posts on their accounts." Senior cops and administrative officials were stationed in Fatehpur to keep a strict watch. Adequate forces were also deployed to maintain law and order. Members of both the communities did not move towards the disputed site as the police intensified patrolling and warned of strict legal action against those trying to disturb the peace of the area. Office-bearers of different Hindu organisations appealed to devotees to celebrate Janmashtami in their houses and maintain harmony. On Sunday, the police carried out extensive patrolling across Abunagar and nearby areas to ensure the maintenance of law and order. " Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
