Dharmasthala case: Progressive groups in Mysuru seek fair, time-bound SIT probe

Progressive organisations in Mysuru have urged the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Dharmasthala ‘mass burials’ to carry out a fair, transparent, and comprehensive investigation into the allegations, stressing that witnesses must be protected and the investigation kept free from external pressures.

At a press meet on Thursday, activist Stanley said that the SIT’s mandate should go beyond recording witness accounts. “There are FIRs, forensic evidences, DNA tests, and other materials that point to serious offences. The SIT must investigate these systematically, not confine itself to trench-digging or isolated testimonies,” he said. He recalled that in the Soujanya case, a court had pointed out lapses by investigating officers and sought accountability, but no action had followed.

Speakers said that new witnesses had come forward in recent years, making it essential that their safety be guaranteed. There are attempts to suppress or intimidate witnesses through various means and it was imperative that the witnesses are protected, they stated.

Kamal Gopinath, representing the People’s Union for Civil Liberties, called on the Home Minister to release an interim report on the matter to instil confidence in the public. The investigation must be time-bound and transparent, he said.

Parashuram of Odanadi and representatives of the Mahila Daurjanya Virodhi Okkoota said that the organisations were only seeking justice for victims and were not targeting any institution. Citizens should wait patiently for the SIT’s findings, but the team must be allowed to function independently, they said.

“The truth should come out, and victims should get justice. The SIT must act without pressure,” the groups concluded. They also rued that systematic efforts were on by vested interest groups to derail the investigations and impart a religious motive to vitiate the probe.