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The Hindu
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Dharmasthala burial case: Advocates of complainant favour SIT probe
Close on the heels of Karnataka State Commission for Women Chairperson Nagalakshmi Choudhary seeking a probe by Special Investigation Team (SIT) into alleged secret burial of bodies at Dharmasthala over a decade ago, the advocates representing the complainant in the case have also favoured an SIT probe. On July 15, advocates Ojaswi Gowda and Sachin Deshpande stated: '...We believe an SIT is indeed the most appropriate and necessary mechanism to unearth the truth and deliver justice in this profoundly disturbing case...' '...In the face of grave allegations emerging from Dharmasthala, the formation of a truly independent and highly competent SIT is not merely desirable, but necessary to secure justice for the victims. The unique and deeply disturbing facts and circumstances of this case demand an investigative approach that inspires public confidence...' The duo stated that the broader advocate community has collectively urged them to press for formation of an SIT 'under stringent and principled conditions'. Letter to CM On July 14, Karnataka State Commission for Women Chairperson Nagalakshmi Choudhary wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah that the scope of the investigation by SIT should cover probing cases of missing women and girl students, unnatural deaths, murders and rapes reported in the village in the past two decades. The letter stated that there are allegations that when family members of victims of crimes went to the police station, police did not respond properly. Hence, an SIT led by senior police officials should be constituted to probe the allegation of the complainant. On July 12, Dakshina Kannada police went on record that they will have to ascertain with the complainant whether there was a need to change the Investigation Officer (IO), or if there was a need to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe his complaint. Police will also have to ascertain with the advocates representing the complainant whether they were aware of the demand, a police statement stated. Background of the case On July 3, a person filed a complaint with Dharmasthala police claiming that he was forced to bury bodies of many persons, including women and men, who were allegedly murdered and raped in Dharmasthala. He claimed that he buried the bodies during his tenure as a sanitation worker in Dharmasthala between 1995 and December 2014. After taking permission from a court, Dharmasthala police registered a case on July 4 for an offence under Section 211 (a) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. On July 11, the complainant produced some of the skeletal remains of a body, that he claimed to have exhumed on his own, before the Principal Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate First Class, Belthangady court, and gave a statement regarding the same.
Indian Express
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Dharmasthala secret burials: women's panel writes to CM Siddaramaiah, whistleblower's advocates seek SIT probe led by ADGP Mohanty
Following claims of murders and secret burials that allegedly took place for over two decades in the temple town of Dharmasthala in Dakshina Kannada district, the Karnataka State Commission for Women has written to the state government seeking an impartial investigation into the allegations. The advocates of the whistleblower, whose police complaint brought to light the alleged murders and secret burials of sexual assault victims, have also written an open letter calling for the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under ADGP Pronab Mohanty to 'unearth the truth and deliver justice in this profoundly disturbing case'. In a letter dated July 14, the commission's chairperson, Dr Nagalakshmi Choudhary, noted that the whistleblower had recorded a court statement that he had buried 'hundreds of bodies'. The commission has taken note of reports about the claims and a statement made by the family of a medical student who had gone missing at Dharmasthala. 'There are also allegations that police officials did not respond properly when families of victims went to file complaints about their missing children, or deaths. Therefore, a SIT should be formed under a senior IPS officer to investigate cases of missing women and students, unnatural death/murder cases and rape cases that took place around Dharmasthala in the last 20 years,' she said in a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The letter came days after the whistleblower recorded a statement at the jurisdictional court at Belthangady in the district. Earlier, he had filed a complaint with the police alleging that he was forced to bury several bodies that were found half-naked and had signs of sexual assault and rape near Dharmasthala. The whistleblower, who is a former sanitation worker employed at the temple town, has alleged that he was forced to bury several bodies from 1998 to 2014 and was threatened against approaching the police. He had claimed that the crimes might have been committed by those involved in the administration of the temple at Dharmasthala. On Tuesday, the advocates of the whistleblower–Ojaswi Gowda and Sachin Deshpande–issued an open letter stating that there was a 'widespread public demand' for an SIT to be formed immediately. 'However, the experience of the SIT constituted in 2012 for the Sowjanya case, which concluded in a disaster and deep public dissatisfaction, continues to unsettle this region to this day. This past dissatisfaction continues to unsettle this region to this day. This past experience, far from diminishing the need for an SIT, underscores the critical importance of getting it right this time,' they said. Referring to a recent judgment of the Karnataka High Court on a writ petition in an unrelated case, the advocates said the court had explicitly directed the formation of an SIT to be headed by senior IPS officer Pronab Mohanty for a complex investigation. 'A very large number of legal professionals have, therefore, strongly urged us to insist that Mr. Pranab Mohanty be appointed to lead the SIT in the Dharmasthala mass burials case. Furthermore, it is their collective insistence that the Investigating Officers (IOs) and other supervising personnel appointed to this SIT must also be individuals of unimpeachable integrity, and critically, that their appointments be recommended by To ensure transparency and accountability, there must be a publicly available paper trail demonstrating that the selection process for these key roles strictly followed this integrity protocol,' they said in the letter.
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Crime against women in Chikkamagaluru declines due to coordinated efforts
Chikkamagaluru: Crime against women has significantly declined in the district compared to previous years, thanks to the district administration, police, and the women and child welfare department's efforts to contain the crime, according to chairperson of the Karnataka State Women's Commission, Nagalakshmi Choudhary, on Sunday. The chairperson was on a two-day visit to Chikkamagaluru. In this district, 35 rape cases were registered in 2019-20, five in 2024-25, and three cases from Jan to April this year. Compared to previous years, the number of such cases has significantly decreased. This reduction in case severity is noteworthy, she said. Nagalakshmi congratulated the district administration, police department, and the women and child welfare department's officers and staff, expressing hope that these cases will drop to zero in the future. She also mentioned that a report will be obtained on all measures taken by the district authorities. The chairperson also visited and inspected the arrangements at the Rukminiyamma Mother and Child Hospital's Sakhi One Stop Center in Chikkamagaluru city. She stated that the hospital's Sakhi Center is crucial from the commission's perspective. Children and women who have suffered from sexual harassment and domestic violence find refuge here after reporting to the police station. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How Telidesk Saved My Business Undo To avoid issues that arise from providing shelter in different locations, affected children and mothers are given shelter here for seven days, with support from lawyers, doctors, and police. The facilities are excellent, and the Nirbhaya scheme funds this programme, she added. She mentioned that during visits to each district, they make it a point to visit the Sakhi Center and gather information on various cases recorded there. She was displeased with the unclean water tank at the Sakhi Center and instructed that it be cleaned within two to three days, and a report be submitted. Officials have assured that all issues will be resolved within three to four days and a report will be submitted. District surgeon Dr Mohankumar, women and children's hospital surgeon Dr Chandrashekhar Salimath, obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Rohit, associate professors Dr Pandurangaiah and Dr Konappa, and staff were present. The chairperson also visited a few PHCs on Sunday.
The Hindu
17-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Karnataka State Women's Commission chairperson interacts with NREGA labourers at Kalaburagi village
Nagalakshmi Choudhary, chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Women, held an interactive session with labourers involved in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) works at Honnakiranagi village in Kalaburagi district on Saturday. During the meeting, she listened to their issues and concerns. During her interaction, she stated that she had toured 26 districts in the State, but found a unique quality among the MGNREGA labourers in Honnakiranagi. She noted that 47 families had completed 100 person days under the scheme and felicitated these labourers. Furthermore, she highlighted that two female labourers had deposited ₹1 lakh each, earned through the NREGA scheme, in their bank accounts. She encouraged all wage labourers to continue working under the NREGA scheme in the coming days. Bhanwar Singh Meena, chief executive officer of Kalaburagi Zilla Panchayat, remarked that Honnakiranagi Gram Panchayat effectively implemented the NREGA scheme and received recognition at the national level. He urged every wage labourer to enrol in the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana insurance schemes. He also informed them that the daily wage under NREGA has been increased to ₹370 from April 1, 2025, and advised everyone to work according to the prescribed measurements. A total of 425 wage labourers participated in the interactive programme. A free health camp was also organised for the labourers on this occasion. The event was attended by Kalaburagi Taluk Panchayat executive officer M.D. Sayed Patel, Kalaburagi Taluk Panchayat assistant director Revanasiddappa Gowdara, and all taluk-level officers.
