Dharmasthala burials case: Former SC Judge demands SIT probe monitored by a sitting or retired HC/SC Judge

Retired Supreme Court judge Justice V. Gopala Gowda, addressing media persons on Thursday, demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe, monitored by either a sitting or retired judge of the High Court or Supreme Court, into the Dharmasthala case. 

Justice Gowda said the complainant, who had recorded his statement before the magistrate, was already facing pressure from the police. “Police are allegedly coercing him to mark the places he has buried the bodies on a white paper. Also, the statement of the whistleblower is being leaked to private individuals,” he said. 

He further said that even days after the whistleblower lodged a complaint and recorded his statement before a magistrate, the police seem to be in no hurry to organise the exhumation of these remains. The police have not even visited the spot. This raises serious questions about the intentions of the current investigation,” he said, demanding the constitution of an SIT led by an Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) rank officer, monitored by a sitting/retired judge of the Supreme Court or High Court. 

Justice Gowda further warned the Home Minister, Director General, and Inspector General of the Police that they would be held responsible if the whistleblower and his advocates were harmed in any manner. 

Senior advocate and Congress leader C.S. Dwarkanath expressed concern over the whistleblowers’ statement being leaked and said that they had already written to the Home Minister to take steps to plug the leaks.