BELAGAVI, 23 AUG

Rumours that a family in Athani taluk planned to “leave their bodies” (dehatyag) on 8 September as part of a sect ritual spread like wildfire across the Karnataka–Maharashtra border, drawing hundreds of villagers to their home since Friday.

Tukaram Irakar’s family - residents of Shingalapur Road in Anantpur – were said to be among 21 devotees of spiritual leader Rampal Maharaj who allegedly resolved to undertake dehatyag. 

Hundreds of people thronged to their house to take their darshan, but could not meet them.

The remaining devotees are reportedly from Pune, Kolhapur and Sangli districts. Rampal Maharaj commands a following in South Maharashtra and parts of Belagavi border taluks.

Athani Tahasildar Siddaraya Bosage said the taluk administration was trying to contact the family to understand if there was any basis to the rumours. 

"Until we meet the Irakar family, we consider it all as rumours," the officer said.

Belagavi Superintendent of Police Bhimashankar Guled, meanwhile, dismissed the idea as all rumours and action would be taken against those spreading them. 

Dehatyag refers to the practice of “voluntary death”.