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Calling for an independent and credible investigation into the Dharmasthala mass burials case, lawyers representing the whistleblower have urged the Karnataka government to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by senior IPS officer Pranab Mohanty. Citing public outrage over the grave allegations and past failures of similar probes, advocates Ojaswi Gowda and Sachin Deshpande issued a statement on Tuesday, July 15 stating that only a professionally led, transparent SIT can ensure justice in the case.
The lawyers pointed to the widespread dissatisfaction with the SIT constituted in the 2012 Sowjanya rape and murder case, which they said had ended in “disaster” and has left the region unsettled to this day. This experience, they argued, only strengthens the case for forming an SIT in the current matter – one that is independent, competent, and capable of restoring public faith.
“The unique and deeply disturbing facts and circumstances of this case demand an investigative approach that inspires public confidence,” they said, noting that the legal fraternity, including retired judges, senior advocates, and activists, had offered inputs on the appropriate structure of such a probe.
The case stems from a complaint filed by a former sanitation worker who alleged that he was forced to bury the bodies of women and children, some of whom bore signs of sexual assault, while working under the Dharmasthala temple administration. He claimed that he was threatened into silence and fled the town nearly a decade ago, only to return recently owing to a guilty conscience and file a complaint. The man recorded his statement in a closed court on July 11 under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
The lawyers’ statement also referenced a recent judgement of the Karnataka High Court in response to a writ petition dated April 25, in which the court had ordered the formation of an SIT headed by Director General of Police Pranab Mohanty in an unrelated but complex investigation. The court had commended Mohanty’s leadership, which the lawyers said established a strong precedent for his appointment in the Dharmasthala case.
The lawyers said a large number of legal professionals had urged them to recommend Mohanty as the SIT head and further insisted that all investigating officers and supervisory staff appointed to the SIT be individuals of “unimpeachable integrity,” whose names are vetted and recommended by Mohanty himself.
To ensure transparency and public accountability, the lawyers stressed the need for a clear paper trail showing that all appointments to the SIT followed this integrity-based selection process.
They clarified that they had no personal or professional connection with Pranab Mohanty and were advocating for his appointment solely in the public interest.
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