SIT completes two-day questioning of complainant witness in Dharmasthala mass burial case

The SIT now reportedly has sufficient material to proceed to the next phase of investigation which will focus on determining whether the 10 reported deaths or burials qualify as Unnatural Death Reports.

Mangaluru: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has completed two days of questioning of the complainant witness at the Central Prison in Shivamogga as part of its probe into the mass burial case in Dharmasthala.

Sources told DH that the interrogation, conducted under the supervision of Investigating Officer Jitendra Kumar Dayama, strictly adhered to court directions. The SIT team camped in Shivamogga for two days to complete the questioning.

“The interrogation has yielded substantial new information. We have gathered crucial details related to 10 burial cases that the complainant witness had previously mentioned before both the investigation team and the court under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS),” a source said.

The SIT now reportedly has sufficient material to proceed to the next phase of investigation. However, if further clarification is required, the team may once again seek court permission to re-question the witness.

The next stage will focus on verifying the information obtained and determining whether the 10 reported deaths or burials qualify as Unnatural Death Reports (UDRs). Investigators plan to question police personnel, medical officers, and others allegedly connected to these cases.

“We have secured some strong leads during the questioning, and these will guide our next steps,” the source added.

Meanwhile, activist Girish Mattannavar appeared before Belthangady police on Saturday in connection with a notice served to him. Police said Mattannavar had made public comments about activist Mahesh Shetty Thimarody—accused in the case—claiming to have spoken to him and criticising the police for failing to trace him.