SIT not acknowledged ‘conspiracy’ against Dharmasthala temple in HC

Bengaluru

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Dharmasthala mass burial case has not acknowledged in the Karnataka High Court (HC) that it found any evidence of a conspiracy against the Dharmasthala temple. The SIT only stated that it is probing the conspiracy angle. 

Social media was abuzz with misinformation claiming that the SIT had informed the HC that Soujanya activists conspired against Dharmasthala. This is false. The SIT merely informed HC judge Justice Nagaprasanna, who was hearing the writ of mandamus, that the team is yet to unearth any conspiracy against the temple. The writ was filed by Purandara Gowda and Tukaram Gowda. The petitioners sought directions from the HC to the SIT to include them as witnesses to show illegal burials and to carry out exhumation.

During the hearing, Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) B. N. Jagadish stated, “as accused Chinnayya was found to be lying, there were allegations of conspiracy.” Justice Nagaprasanna then asked, “What is the conspiracy?” Jagadish replied that “the SIT is yet to unearth this.” This indicates that the SIT has so far not found any evidence against Soujanya activists that can be placed before the HC.

A highly placed source in the SIT said the SPP merely presented the status of the case and nothing more. The SIT also did not oppose the writ of mandamus but informed the court why the petitioners’ representation was not considered when submitted to the investigation team. The SIT did not act on it because the petitioners stated they learnt about the alleged illegal burial spots from accused Chinnayya. Since Chinnayya was found to be lying, the petition was not entertained by the SIT.