DGP Pronab Mohanty, head of Karnataka’s Internal Security Division, visited Dakshina Kannada on Sunday to oversee the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Dharmasthala mass burial case. He met with key officials, including SP Arun K, and inspected the Intelligence Bureau (IB) office in Mangaluru, where the SIT launched its investigation on Saturday.
The complainant-witness, who had earlier sought protection, appeared before the SIT for the second day in a row. Arriving at 10:15 am in a car, his face covered, he was accompanied by three lawyers and remained inside the office until 6:30 pm, actively cooperating with the inquiry.
Later in the day, DGP Mohanty, along with senior officers MN Anucheth and Simon CA, also visited the SIT’s Belthangady office as part of the continuing investigation efforts.
The case gained momentum in early July after the witness claimed to have vital information about the alleged perpetrators and burial sites. Responding to the gravity of the claims, the Dharmasthala police filed a case on July 4, which led the state government to establish the SIT on July 19 to carry out a comprehensive probe.
The SIT’s formation signals the government’s commitment to unearthing the truth in this sensitive and serious case, with witness protection and field verification of claims expected to follow in the coming days.