CM Defends SIT Probe
Chief minister Siddaramaiah accused the bjp of politicising the Dharmasthala case.
He asserted that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) was conducting an independent and unbiased probe without government interference.
Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade himself welcomed the SIT probe, the cm pointed out.
Criticism of the BJP’s Demands
BJP has demanded a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe, but Siddaramaiah questioned their lack of trust in the karnataka Police.
He called the BJP’s “Dharmasthala Chalo” rally “a political yatra, not dharma Yatra.”
The cm alleged that the bjp was exploiting sensitive issues purely for political gains.
On Allegations of Foreign Funding
BJP leaders alleged foreign funding for a conspiracy against Dharmasthala.
Siddaramaiah countered by questioning the BJP’s own funding sources.
He said he was unaware of any such foreign funding and insisted the investigation would reveal facts.
SIT Investigation Progress
A complaint by CN Chinnaiah, later arrested for perjury, sparked the controversy.
Chinnaiah alleged mass burials, including women victims, near Dharmasthala.
SIT conducted excavations along the Netravathi River; skeletal remains were found at two sites.
Soujanya Rape-Murder Case (2012)
When asked about reopening the Soujanya case, Siddaramaiah said it was up to the victim’s family to approach the court.
He highlighted that the cbi (under the BJP-led Centre) had already investigated the case.
BJP’s stand was contradictory, as they were now urging the family to approach the supreme court despite the CBI’s role.
State bjp chief B Y Vijayendra assured the victim’s mother that the party would support her legal fight.
CM’s Response to New Claims
A woman recently claimed to have witnessed Soujanya’s kidnapping.
Siddaramaiah questioned why she did not inform the cbi earlier, stressing that withholding evidence is an offence.
click and follow Indiaherald WhatsApp channel