Karnataka BJP Demands Transferring Dharmasthala Case To CBI Or NIA, Expresses Suspicion Over SIT's Investigation

Karnataka BJP president, B Y Vijayendra, has demanded that the case involving allegations of numerous rapes, murders, and burials in Dharmasthala, located in the Dakshina Kannada district, be transferred to the NIA or CBI. He suggested that there is a 'very big conspiracy' behind these accusations.

Vijayendra, along with R Ashok, the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, and various BJP legislators and leaders, are present in Dharmasthala to take part in the 'Dharmasthala chalo' rally being held in the temple town.

Before the rally took place, they said prayers at the Manjunatha temple and had a meeting with the temple's custodian, D Veerendra Heggade, who is also a member of the Rajya Sabha from the BJP, The Hindu reported.

“Irrespective of caste, creed and religion, everybody is demanding a thorough investigation by CBI or NIA. It is a must in the Dharmasthala episode. This is the demand of all the devotees of Dharmasthala lord Manjunatha,” Vijayendra said.

The BJP president highlighted that Dinesh Gundu Rao, the Minister in charge of Dakshina Kannada district, had stated that the state government was under significant pressure from leftist groups to conduct an investigation. Additionally, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar had expressed that a major conspiracy was involved in the Dharmasthala incident.

“Everything needs to be exposed. There is a very big conspiracy against the Dharmasthala temple. Hence, we are demanding a thorough investigation by the NIA or CBI. I hope the State Government, without any delay, will order an investigation at the earliest,” he asserted.

The dispute began when a man named C N Chinnaiah, who was apprehended on accusations of perjury, confessed to interring numerous bodies over the past 20 years in Dharmasthala. These included the bodies of women who showed indications of sexual assault.