Dharmasthala 'burial' case: Police await information on witness

Mangaluru: The Dakshina Kannada district police on Wednesday clarified that they have not received any details about the current location of the witness complainant who had claimed the burial of bodies in Dharmasthala village.

The individual had approached authorities seeking witness protection and has expressed willingness to share information about those responsible and the sites where the bodies were buried.

The district police have taken up an investigation. Superintendent of Police Dr Arun K stated that while an application requesting identity protection for the witness was under consideration, it was found that the witness’s lawyer had already disclosed significant details to the media through press statements and other channels.

The lawyer has claimed that the release of information was done at the behest of the complainant. However, the details made public do not adequately safeguard the anonymity of the witness.

With regard to witness protection under Rule 7, authorities clarified that protective measures can only be implemented with the full consent and cooperation of the witness.

This requirement was communicated via email to the advocate on July 10. Despite this, the police have yet to receive any information about the whereabouts of the witness. All exchanges with the advocates thus far have been via email.

In the absence of details about the witness location, the SP said they are unable to extend protection. A report to this effect has been submitted by the Deputy Superintendent of Police to the competent authority.

The report further noted that if the witness fails to appear during future stages of the investigation, there will be no way for the police to confirm or trace the whereabouts.

The SP also confirmed that no official action, including exhuming bodies was scheduled to take place on Wednesday in connection with the case.