Latest news with #WitnessProtectionScheme2018
The Hindu
28-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
SIT probe: Ashok suspects conspiracy to bring Dharmasthala Temple under focus
Even though he welcomed the probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the mass burials in Dharmasthala, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashok said he suspects a conspiracy behind media reports bringing Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple under focus in the process. Speaking to reporters in Mysuru on Monday, Mr. Ashok said certain 'unseen hands' were complicating the investigation into the matter. While the temple authorities too have welcomed the probe, Mr. Ashok said he would go a step further and ask Chief Minister Siddaramaiah himself to head an investigation into the matter. For, the 'gang of progressives' will reject the SIT's probe report if it is not in their favour. 'We want this probe to be conducted and the culprits brought out. Let the investigation bring out the truth,' he said, while taking exception to media reports that seek to portray Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple negatively. While Mr. Ashok claimed that the complainant was a Muslim and the Kerala government was behind it, sources said that the complainant was not a Muslim. Multiple sources have confirmed that the complainant is a Hindu from the Scheduled Castes (SC) community. However, since he is now given protection under the Witness Protection Scheme 2018, his identity cannot be revealed, the sources added. Meanwhile, former Minister M. Shivanna addressed a press conference in Mysuru on Monday and sought an investigation into the background of the 'anonymous individual', who has come forward after 30 years claiming to have buried hundreds of bodies in Dharmasthala. 'It is imperative to investigate this person's background and who is behind him,' said Mr. Shivanna, while expressing concern over the efforts to make baseless allegations against the Dharmasthala or Veerendra Heggade. Though a fair and impartial investigation must be carried out if any such crimes had indeed occurred at Dharmasthala and strict action must be taken against the culprits, Mr. Shivanna said it was also important to protect the sanctity of the revered pilgrimage centre like Dharmasthala and ensured that its reputation is not tarnished by baseless allegations.
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Time of India
Pay Rs25L interim relief to kin of custodial case victim: HC to state
Madurai: Madras high court on Tuesday directed the state to pay an interim compensation of 25 lakh, in addition to the 7.5 lakh already paid by the govt to the family members of B Ajith Kumar, who died of custodial torture in Thiruppuvanam in Sivaganga district. The state submitted that, pursuant to the earlier directions issued by the court, the govt transferred another case registered in connection with the gold jewellery theft (based on the complaint of Nikitha), which is connected to the custodial death incident, to the CBI. Necessary assistance is provided to the CBI officials for them to proceed with the investigation. The govt also paid an interim compensation of 7.5 lakh to the family members of the deceased. The CBI submitted that, pursuant to the order of the court, the CBI appointed an investigating officer and a case was registered. The investigating officer collected all necessary evidence and documents and is proceeding with the investigation. The counsel for the petitioners submitted that the compensation awarded to the family is inadequate since higher compensation was awarded by the govt in various other cases, including cases involving custodial torture. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Therefore, they submitted that the compensation should be enhanced. They further submitted that, insofar as providing protection to witnesses, the Witness Protection Scheme 2018 was not implemented. Though police personnel are deployed for the protection of witnesses, there are several other aspects to the scheme. The witnesses submitted applications in the prescribed format, and the same is pending before the Sivaganga principal district judge. A division bench of justice S M Subramaniam and justice A D Maria Clete observed that the court is of the opinion that the interim compensation of 7.5 lakh paid by the govt is inadequate since the deceased Ajith Kumar was a healthy young person who was aged 29 years and was working in a temple. Hence, the judges directed the state to pay an additional 25 lakh as interim compensation. The judges directed the Sivaganga principal district judge to pass appropriate orders on the application made by key witnesses in the case seeking protection in line with the Witness Protection Scheme, within a week. The judges also directed the CBI to proceed with the investigation and file the final report on or before Aug 20, as per the earlier timeline stipulated by the court. The court passed the order while hearing a batch of petitions filed seeking proper investigation into the custodial death of Ajith Kumar and to provide compensation to the victim's family.
