MYSURU
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said the government will not succumb to any pressure in the alleged mass murder case in Dharmasthala. Speaking at Mysuru Airport, he stated that action will be taken strictly according to the law, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will be formed if the police recommend it.
“The complainant has recorded a statement under Section 164 of the CrPC, claiming he buried several bodies and is willing to show the locations,” the CM said. Responding to questions about political pressure, he clarified, “Even if there is pressure, the government will not yield.”
On delays in the arrest of the accused, raised by a retired judge, Siddaramaiah said, “We won’t act on mere allegations. Legal procedures will be followed.”
The case gained traction after a former Dalit sanitation worker alleged in a July 3 police complaint that he was forced to dispose of over 100 women’s bodies, many allegedly victims of sexual assault, while working for Dharmasthala temple authorities from 1995 to 2014. Karnataka State Commission for Women Chairperson Dr. Nagalakshmi Choudhary has flagged police inaction, and advocates recently submitted a memorandum to the CM demanding an SIT probe.
Separately, on bomb threat emails sent to Bengaluru schools, the CM said police are verifying their authenticity. He added that new legislation is being planned to penalize the spread of fake or provocative information.
On the Justice D'Cunha report regarding the RCB celebration stampede, Siddaramaiah said the Cabinet will first study it before any public response.