SIT should conduct impartial probe into all 'unnatural deaths' at Dharmasthala: Women's forum

Activist Gowramma demanded an impartial probe by the SIT not only into mass burial cases but also into all unnatural deaths, missing cases, incidents of sexual assault and atrocities reported in Dharmasthala and surrounding villages over the past four decades.

Mangaluru: Women from various parts of the state came together in Belthangady to participate in the Mahila Nyaya Samavesha under the aegis of the Kondavaru Yaru Abhiyana, demanding answers to the question of who killed women in Dharmasthala.

Reading out the hakkotaya of the convention, activist Gowramma demanded an impartial and comprehensive probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) not only into mass burial cases but also into all unnatural deaths, missing cases, incidents of sexual assault and atrocities reported in Dharmasthala and surrounding villages over the past four decades.

She further demanded that the government ensure protection for victims, survivors, witnesses and their families so that they can come forward without fear of reprisals and provide evidence and statements to strengthen the investigation, making it credible and effective. Old cases such as those of Padmalatha, Vedavalli, Sowjanya and Yamuna/Narayana should be reopened and probed, she said.

Referring to the Karnataka High Court judgment dated September 13, 2024, in the Sowjanya case, Gowramma said the state government must treat the serious dereliction of duty by concerned officials and investigators as a crime and immediately initiate action against them. She demanded strict legal action under IPC Section 166A, which holds public servants accountable for failure to act in accordance with the law.

The Kondavaru Yaru Abhiyana members also called for the establishment of an independent support group, including women’s rights experts, to assist the SIT in ensuring gender justice and accountability. They demanded enhanced safety and security in public places through the installation of required CCTV cameras. The state government should also mandate religious institutions to set up internal complaints committees to address incidents of sexual harassment and related issues. Additionally, the recommendations of the Ugrappa Committee constituted to prevent sexual violence against women and children should be implemented.

Prior to the stage programme, women took out a silent march from Marigudi to the Mini Vidhana Soudha in Belthangady, holding placards reading “Find the real killer”, “Stop shielding criminals”, “Stop violence”, and “reopen the Sowjanya case” and so on. A memorandum was submitted to the state government through Tahsildar on the occasion.