Mangaluru – The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Dharmasthala mass burial case has received a fresh complaint from Paramesh V, a Bengaluru resident, accusing BJP MLA SR Vishwanath of issuing threats against a witness-complainant and disclosing confidential details of the investigation.
In his complaint to the SIT chief on Sunday, Paramesh alleged that Yelahanka MLA Vishwanath, while dismissing allegations against Dharmasthala Kshetra, publicly revealed sensitive information about the probe and made remarks targeting the witness. He quoted the MLA as saying that if the witness knew about “rape and murder,” he “should be the first culprit and must be hanged to death.”
Paramesh said such remarks, made while a court-directed investigation is ongoing, amount to a death threat and could intimidate the complainant into withdrawing cooperation, thereby jeopardising the probe. He urged the SIT to arrest the MLA and investigate the “conspiracy” behind his statement.
The complaint also alleges that Vishwanath’s comments attempt to portray the case as a conspiracy against the temple and Hindu religion, potentially fuelling communal tensions. Paramesh further pointed to the MLA’s announcement that he and supporters would travel to Dharmasthala in over 250 vehicles, calling it a possible plan to incite unrest.
He warned that if any violence occurs, Vishwanath should be held solely responsible, and demanded the SIT question him thoroughly to aid the ongoing investigation.