Dharmasthala mass burial case: More leads under active scrutiny of SIT

Udupi: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Monday continued to question key individuals, while recording statements and verifying critical documents related to the alleged Dharmasthala mass burial case.

SIT officials recorded the statements of Jayanth, Vittal Gowda, Kerala-based Youtuber Munaf, Girish Mattannavar and Youtuber Abhishek as part of the inquiry.

SIT sources confirmed that no major breakthrough was achieved during the day’s proceedings. The complainant-witness, Chinnaiah, who was remanded in judicial custody, continued to remain a point of discussion in the case.

The ongoing investigation is spread across many angles, with the SIT exploring multiple leads to unearth the truth. SIT sources confirmed no exhumation had been carried out in recent days, as had been reported in a section of press.

“More individuals are likely to be summoned in coming days,” a senior SIT officer told DH. One of the major challenges faced by SIT at this stage has been the circulation of fake news and unverified speculations across various forms of media. SIT officials said that the team was not under any external pressure to influence the direction of the probe.

Complaint lodged

Activist Snehamayi Krishna on Monday submitted a 12-page complaint to Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police accusing Sowjanya’s maternal uncle, Vittal Gowda, of raping and murdering Sowjanya.