Dharmasthala 'horror': CM breaks silence

NT Correspondent

Mysuru: Over a week after chilling allegations of sexual assault, mass murder, and secret buri als in Dharmasthala surfaced, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday finally broke his silence, asserting that his government will ensure justice is served but only after receiving the police report.

Facing growing public outrage and calls from human rights groups and senior legal voices, Siddaramaiah said the government will consider setting up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) based on the findings of the ongoing police probe. “We cannot jump into forming an SIT based on one person’s statement,” the CM said, referring to a man who surfaced after being underground for more than a decade and claimed that dozens of women were raped, murdered, and buried in Dharmasthala.

“The al legations are serious. The police are verifying the facts. Let their report come. We are not under any pressure. Even if there is pressure, we will not bow to it.” Siddaramaiah’s remarks come amid demands from a group of senior lawyers  including retired Justice V. Gopalagowda for immediate constitu tion of an SIT and custo dial interrogation of those named in the complaint.

The group had warned that delaying independent investigation could allow evidence to be tampered with or destroyed. Meanwhile, civil society organisations and women’s rights activists have slammed the state’s si lence over the past week, questioning why no arrests or forensic searches have taken place despite the gravity of the charges.

Social media has been abuzz with outrage, with many calling this Karnataka’s “Unnao moment”, referencing the infamous Uttar Pradesh rape and murder case that was initially covered up. With public trust on the line, all eyes are now on the police report. Whether the truth will emerge or be buried once again, as the allegations claim, remains to be seen.