Bengaluru:
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Dharmasthala mass burial case will submit its full investigation report directly to the court after completing the probe. Officials have clarified that the SIT will not provide any interim report to the State government.
The report will be placed before the Principal Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) in Belthangady taluk, in line with legal procedure. The SIT is required to file either a chargesheet or a full report under Section 193 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)—equivalent to Section 173 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC)—within 90 days of July 19, 2025.
Witness Statement
The case was initiated by a complaint from Bheema, a former sanitation worker who served at the Dharmasthala Temple Administration between 1995 and 2014. He filed his complaint at the Dharmasthala police station on July 3, 2025. His statement was later recorded in court on July 11, 2025 under Section 183 of the BNSS (corresponding to Section 163 of the CrPC).
No Interim Report to Government
Government sources clarified that the State government has no authority to demand either interim or final reports from the SIT. Only higher courts, such as the High Court, may seek interim findings if necessary.
Furthermore, the SIT retains the right to seek the court’s permission for further investigation even after submitting its final report, as provided under Section 193(9) of the BNSS.
Political Reactions
The opposition BJP has demanded that the SIT provide an interim report to the government. However, legal experts maintain that such a demand has no legal basis. At most, the SIT may provide an informal briefing to senior officials like the Home Minister or Chief Minister.
Responding to the opposition’s criticism, government representatives said that the SIT was constituted on July 19, 2025 and is functioning independently without interference. They further remarked that opposition leaders should “read the law books instead of making baseless demands.”
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