Dharmasthala Case: SIT Told to Fast-Track Probe Says Home Minister Parameshwara

In a bid to unravel the chilling mysteries haunting the serene temple town of Dharmasthala, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara announced on Monday that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing claims of multiple murders, rapes, and secret burials has been directed to expedite its work and deliver a comprehensive report at the earliest possible opportunity. The allegations, which have gripped the nation since emerging in July, point to a horrifying pattern of violence spanning over two decades, allegedly implicating shadowy figures tied to the town's influential temple administration.

Parameshwara, addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, emphasized the urgency without imposing a rigid timeline, acknowledging the complexities of forensic science. "We've instructed the SIT to wrap up the investigation swiftly and submit their findings soon, but we haven't set a fixed deadline because certain critical analyses—like DNA profiling and chemical examinations—demand meticulous time and precision," he explained. "We can't rush the process or compromise on procedures. That said, we've prioritized requests to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to fast-track their reports, ensuring nothing hinders the pursuit of justice."

The controversy ignited in mid-July when C N Chinnaiah, a local sanitation worker turned whistleblower, lodged a bombshell complaint at the Dharmasthala police station. Masked during his initial testimony to protect his identity, Chinnaiah alleged he was coerced into burying over 100 bodies—predominantly women and minors showing evident signs of sexual assault—across 13 clandestine sites in forested areas along the Netravati River's banks between 1998 and 2014. These grim disclosures not only shocked pilgrims who flock daily to the 800-year-old Sri Manjunatheshwara Temple but also cast a long shadow over the temple's revered leadership, including Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade and his family, though no direct charges have been leveled against them yet.

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Under mounting public outcry, civil society pressure, and demands from women's rights groups like Naveddu Nilladiddare, the Karnataka government swiftly formed the SIT on July 20, headed by seasoned Director General of Police Pronab Mohanty and DIG M.N. Nagaraj. To bolster the probe, 20 additional officers from districts including Udupi, Uttara Kannada, and Chikkamagaluru were inducted, transforming it into a robust, multi-district operation. The team has since scoured multiple locations, unearthing partial skeletal remains at two key sites, including a recent discovery in the Banglegudde forest near the Netravati bathing ghat. Earlier excavations at six of the 13 identified spots yielded bones believed to belong to a man, along with personal items like a debit card and PAN card, which led investigators to trace a victim's family. The SIT has also expanded its scope to review FIRs on missing pilgrims from across Karnataka and neighboring states, probing potential links to historical cases of disappearances and violence.

The case took a dramatic turn in late August when Chinnaiah himself was arrested on perjury charges after the SIT deemed his statements inconsistent during intense cross-questioning. Stripped of witness protection, he was produced in court following a medical checkup, fueling accusations of political motivations from opposition BJP leaders. In a parallel twist, a woman who claimed her daughter vanished in Dharmasthala during a 2003 college trip later retracted her statement, adding layers of complexity and skepticism to the narrative. Activists, including retired Supreme Court judges, have called for high-level oversight, such as monitoring by a sitting High Court or Supreme Court judge, to ensure impartiality.

Dharmasthala's dark underbelly isn't new; the town has long whispered tales of suppressed crimes. The infamous 2012 Soujanya rape and murder case—a 17-year-old girl's brutal assault and killing near the temple—remains a sore point, with her family still demanding a CBI reinvestigation after the Karnataka High Court rejected their plea in 2023. Women's organizations have renewed calls to link it to the current probe, citing patterns of alleged cover-ups involving politically connected figures. Until 2016, the absence of a local police station only exacerbated fears of unchecked impunity in this pilgrimage hub, where nearly 2,000 devotees arrive daily, oblivious to the shadows lurking in its verdant fringes.

The temple administration, through spokesperson K Parshwanath Jain, has welcomed the SIT's involvement, urging a "highest level of investigation" to dispel rumors and restore faith. "Truth is the bedrock of our society; we stand ready for transparency," Jain stated in July. Yet, tensions escalated when Harshendra Kumar, secretary of the temple institutions and Heggade's brother, filed a defamation suit, leading to a court order for media outlets to remove nearly 9,000 online reports—a move slammed as a gag on press freedom and sparking protests across Karnataka.

As the SIT delves deeper, with ongoing excavations, witness interviews, and forensic validations, Parameshwara reiterated the government's commitment: "This is about justice for the voiceless—women, children, and the destitute who may have fallen victim. No stone will be left unturned." With public trust hanging in the balance and political crossfire intensifying, the Dharmasthala saga underscores the urgent need for accountability in places of worship, reminding all that even sacred grounds can conceal unspeakable horrors. The final report, whenever it lands, promises to either vindicate the allegations or expose a web of falsehoods, reshaping the town's legacy forever.

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