Mysuru, 31 Aug

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has ruled out a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the ongoing Dharmasthala controversy, stating that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been granted complete autonomy to investigate the serious allegations of rape, murder, and secret burials spanning two decades.

“There is no need for an NIA probe. The SIT has been formed to uncover the truth and has full freedom to act. Even Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade has welcomed the investigation,” Siddaramaiah told reporters in Mysuru.

The case sparked political tensions after the whistleblower, now arrested for perjury, claimed to have buried bodies, many allegedly of sexually assaulted women, near the Netravathi River in Dharmasthala. Following this, the SIT conducted excavations at multiple locations, recovering skeletal remains at two sites.

Despite initially welcoming the SIT probe, the BJP and JD(S) have now demanded a central investigation and are holding separate rallies in Dharmasthala. Siddaramaiah hit back, accusing the opposition of politicising the matter. “When in power, did the BJP hand any such case to the CBI? Their demand is purely for political gain,” he said.

On the timeline for the probe, he declined to commit. “We are not interfering. The SIT will investigate and submit the report,” he added.


Activist says he sheltered whistle-blower in B’luru home

In a major twist in the Dharmasthala mass burial case, activist Jayant T has admitted to taking a human skull to Delhi along with the complainant whistleblower, who alleged secret burials near the Dharmasthala temple.

Jayant, closely linked to activist Mahesh Shetty Thimmarodi, confirmed that he accompanied the whistle-blower, Girish Mattannavar, and Sujatha Bhat in a rented vehicle to Delhi to present the skull to a religious figure. He said he acted on Mattannavar’s instructions and claimed he was unaware of any criminal intent.

Jayant revealed he sheltered a whistleblower in his Bengaluru home but kept the skull outside. “It contained plastic and soil. I only took photos on Chinnayya’s phone,” he said, admitting it was wrong to carry the skull but insisting he had no criminal role. “If I must go to jail for telling the truth, I’m ready,” he told reporters in Belthangady.

While Jayant denied being part of a conspiracy, the SIT has searched his home and is investigating his connections and the skull’s origin. Neighbours have also levelled unverified allegations of drug peddling against him, though no formal action has been taken. The probe continues.