Complainant Arrested After Intense Questioning
SIT officials, led by chief Pranab Mohanty, interrogated the complainant late into Friday night before detaining him. Sources confirmed that his arrest came after contradictions were discovered in his testimony. He was later taken for medical examination following hours of questioning.
The man had initially claimed to have worked at the temple between 1995 and 2014, alleging that temple authorities directed him to bury victims, many of whom showed signs of sexual assault. His statement before a magistrate triggered widespread outrage and led to the formation of a high-level SIT by the Karnataka government.
Excavations and Skeletal Remains
Acting on the complainant’s leads, the SIT launched excavations across multiple forested locations near the Netravathi River. Skeletal remains were reportedly recovered at two sites, while fresh digs continue at several more. Home Minister G Parameshwara, however, clarified that the probe is still in its early stages and that the government will not interfere in the SIT’s decisions on further excavations.
For now, the focus remains on scientific verification of the recovered remains to determine whether they corroborate the complainant’s earlier allegations.
Fresh Twist: Woman Admits Fabrication
Adding another layer of complexity, a woman named Sujatha Bhat, who had filed a separate complaint in July claiming her daughter went missing in 2003, admitted last week that the story was fabricated. She alleged that activists pressured her into filing the complaint due to a property dispute involving her grandfather’s land linked to the Dharmasthala temple.
She confessed that the daughter she mentioned—“Ananya Bhat”—never existed and that the photograph she had produced was fake. According to her statement, activists Girish Mattannavar and T Jayanti persuaded her to concoct the story.
Temple Authorities Denounce ‘False Campaign’
Veerendra Heggade, the Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swamy Temple, condemned the allegations, calling them part of an “organised campaign” against the temple and its trust. “Irked by the good work being done by us, some elements carry out false campaigns, but we are unperturbed,” he told reporters.
The SIT has so far refrained from commenting on Heggade’s claim but has assured that the investigation will remain impartial.
What Lies Ahead
As the probe continues, questions remain about the credibility of the witnesses and the authenticity of the evidence presented so far. While skeletal remains have been found, the connection to the alleged decades-long mass murders remains unverified. The SIT is expected to conduct forensic testing before releasing further details.
