Mangaluru: The Karnataka government’s decision to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged mass burials in Dharmasthala has received widespread support from political leaders, rights activists, and civil society groups, who have also urged the government to ensure transparency and political commitment in the probe. In a strong statement, Somanath Nayak of the Satyameva Jayate Federation and Nagarika Seva Trust — among the earliest voices demanding justice — said the SIT must uncover the “harsh truths” behind the alleged burials and ensure justice for the families of the victims. “We welcome the formation of the SIT. Looking at the officials appointed, it’s clear this is not an eyewash. The government seems to have taken the matter seriously, and we have faith in the team,” Nayak told Deccan Chronicle. Referring to a person who has claimed to have buried multiple bodies, Nayak said, “Even if just two or three bodies are recovered, it will be a moral victory in the people’s court, as it will finally expose what happened. The legal outcome may take time, but truth must come to light. Let the perpetrators be punished. People are hopeful this investigation won’t go the way of the Sowjanya case.” The CPI(M) also welcomed the move. Party district secretariat member Sunil Kumar Bajal stressed the need for a free and fair investigation, urging the SIT to remain free from political and institutional pressures. In a statement, Dr. Prakash K, Secretary of the CPI(M) Karnataka State Committee, called the SIT formation a long-overdue step and urged the government to ensure a time-bound, impartial probe. He recalled the party’s past protests, including those linked to the Padmalatha case in the 1980s. “Many of these cases are decades old, marred by allegations of destroyed evidence. A thorough investigation is essential,” Dr. Prakash said, adding that local organizations who led the protests must be consulted. The party also demanded accountability from officers who allegedly tampered with evidence or derailed previous investigations, particularly in reference to the Sowjanya case. As the SIT begins its work, expectations remain high among locals and rights groups who have long campaigned for justice in cases linked to the Dharmasthala region.
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