Bengaluru, 30 Sept

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said the government has directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing allegations of multiple murders, rapes and burials in Dharmasthala to complete the investigation at the earliest.

He also said the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) reports in connection with the case are pending.

Parameshwara told press on Tuesday, "SIT is doing its job. FSL reports have to come. The recently discovered materials have been sent to FSL. We have asked them to finalise and send the reports on what was found earlier. We have told the SIT to complete the probe at the earliest."

Further, he said, "We cannot tell the SIT to complete the probe tomorrow or the day after. They will require information or material to conclude the probe. The FSL report has to come; those reports have to be finalised.”

On a question relating to a Supreme Court order in May dismissing a writ petition filed by the complainant and others, Parameshwara said the SIT may consider that factor in their report.

On the delay in action against activist Mahesh Shetty Thimarody, Parameshwara said, "Let’s see what happens in court. Action will be taken against him, or he will be arrested in accordance with the law by the police."

Thimarody is said to be among a group of people who supported the complainant, who has since been arrested on charges of perjury. He had also been spearheading the campaign seeking justice for a 2012 rape-and-murder case involving a Soujany.