News Brief
Dharmasthala Case: SIT Examines Complainant’s Activist Links And Skull Evidence
Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Manjunatha temple
The complainant in the Dharmasthala case, popularly known as the “mask man”, has reportedly revealed his links with activists and disclosed details of a Delhi trip made before making sensational allegations of mass rapes and murders, NDTV reported, citing sources.
According to the report, after the revelations, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) took the complainant to Bengaluru for searches and mahazar (on-site probe) at the residence of activist T Jayanth, a vocal critic of the temple management.
Following several hours of search, the complainant was taken to the CID office.
On Sunday (31 August), investigators reportedly plan to take him to the home of another activist, Girish Mattennanavar, and later to Salem, Tamil Nadu.
Jayanth told media that the complainant had approached him around 18 months ago with a skull.
He claimed to have provided the masked man food and shelter at his home solely with the intention of ensuring justice.
He admitted travelling to Delhi with Mattennanavar, another complainant Sujatha Bhat, and the masked man, to meet certain individuals.
“If this is considered a crime, let the authorities punish me. I am ready,” he told reporters, while firmly denying neighbours’ allegations of drug peddling.
The SIT is reportedly also focusing on the first skull presented by the complainant, with forensic results awaited.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said the SIT cannot be asked to submit its findings within a fixed timeframe, though the state has urged them to expedite proceedings.
“If the investigation is completed early, the report will be submitted accordingly. Otherwise, the SIT will continue probing,” he was quoted as saying by NDTV.
