Latest news with #UjireChalo
Hans India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Unsolved crimes cast long shadow over pilgrimage centre
Mangaluru: Dharmasthala, a revered pilgrimage centre in Dakshina Kannada, is once again under scrutiny following renewed allegations of decades-long unsolved crimes, including rape, murder, and suspicious deaths. At a press conference, activist K. Dinesh Ganiga alleged that between 1970 and 2025, several high-profile cases in and around Dharmasthala remain unresolved. He cited the 1973 rape and murder of SDM College student Padmalatha, the 1986 petrol-burning murder of teacher Vedavalli, and the 2012 killings of elephant caretaker Narayana and his wife Yamuna. He also referred to the rape and murder of Soujanya in October 2012, a case that sparked statewide outrage. Ganiga further highlighted discrepancies between official police records and local panchayat reports, noting that from 2002 to 2012 alone, 452 unnatural deaths were recorded in Dharmasthala and Ujire. 'Despite the seriousness of these cases, no suspects have been convicted. The failure of the police has eroded public trust,' he accused political leaders of selectively raising the issue for religious or electoral gain while remaining silent during earlier society groups have now demanded that four key cases be handed over to a Special Investigation Team (SIT). To press for this, activists announced a statewide mobilisation under the banner 'Ujire Chalo' on August 24, calling for transparency, justice for victims, and accountability from the government.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
‘Ujire Chalo' protest on Aug 24
Mangaluru: Sowjanya Horata Samiti will organise a 'Ujire Chalo' protest demanding an SIT probe into the murder of Sowjanya and other cases allegedly reported in Dharmasthala, in Ujire on Aug 24, said human rights activist K Dinesh Ganiga. He told reporters at the Pathrika Bhavan on Thursday, that many cases of rape, murder, and robbery were reported in Dharmasthala several years ago. A discussion on deaths reported in Dharmasthala was held in the assembly in 1983. While schoolteacher Vedavalli was allegedly murdered in 1986, student Padmalatha was raped and murdered in 1973, but the accused have not been identified yet. Accused in the alleged murder of a mahout, Narayana, and Yamuna reported in 2012, were also not traced. While Sowjanya was murdered in 2012, as many as 452 unnatural deaths were reported in Dharmasthala and Ujire between 2002 and 2012, alleged Ganiga. "Despite several such cases being reported, the miscreants involved could not be caught. This lapse on the part of police, who failed to arrest the accused, leads to mistrust about the place. Seeking investigation and arrest of the accused in all cases, a complaint has been submitted to the state chief secretary," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These Actors from Harry Potter are all Grown up and Their Pictures Show it Watch More Undo Stating that an acquittal committee has not been formed in connection with the murder of Sowjanya, he questioned the silence of political leaders. Extending support to the ongoing SIT probe into the mass burial allegations made by the complainant witness, Ganiga said that all unnatural deaths reported in Dharmasthala should also be probed by the team. A large number of people from various parts of the state are likely to take part in the 'Ujire Chalo' protest, he said, adding that the samiti has already informed the jurisdictional police about the protest planned on Aug 24. 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. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
