Bengaluru – The Special Investigation Team (SIT) that is looking into the Dharmasthala mass‑murder case is set to file its chargesheet with a court in Belthangady by the end of October. SIT officials say they have finished talking to witnesses, gathered evidence and collected documents, and they expect to hand over the filing sooner than the 90‑day deadline that applies after a complainant is arrested.
Once the chargesheet arrives, the case will move to the District Sessions Court in Mangaluru for trial. The investigation has reached its final stage, and the team says it found no solid proof that the temple authorities were involved in the alleged killings of women, girls and elderly people over the past decade.
The main complainant, a man known as “mask man” Chinnaiah, was jailed after the SIT arrested him for allegedly giving false information to police and the court. Chinnaiah earlier produced a skull to support his claims that several bodies had been buried at Dharmasthala. After a large excavation at the site, the SIT has also said it may take action against activists and YouTubers who led the campaign against the temple.
Sujata Bhat, another complainant who says she lost her daughter in the alleged killings, has said she was misled and plans to visit Dharmasthala to apologize. She told reporters she will also meet Dharmadhikari and BJP Rajya Sabha Member Veerendra Heggade to ask for forgiveness and soon go to the temple to pray for Lord Manjunatha.
Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara said the SIT cannot be forced to submit a report within a fixed time frame. “We only asked the SIT to speed up its investigation,” he said. “Requiring a report within a set deadline is not possible.”
On July 11, Chinnaiah appeared before a court in Mangaluru, making a statement under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. He arrived with his face covered and asked police to exhume bodies in his presence. He also made sure the court gave him protection for himself and his family. He said the bodies of several women showed clear signs of sexual assault and violent injury.
The case has drawn nationwide attention. A retired Supreme Court judge and activists have called for a SIT investigation that is monitored by the Supreme Court or a High Court into the alleged murders.
The SIT will file the chargesheet soon, and the trial will begin in the Mangaluru court. The outcome will shed light on the long‑standing allegations against the Dharmasthala temple authorities.
Source: ianslive
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