Whistleblower Reveals Dharmasthala Burial Sites – No Police Meeting
Witness Protection Row Stalls Exhumation Probe, Lawyers Accuse Police of Indifference
Belthangady, July 16: A bitter dispute has erupted between the police and the legal counsel representing a key witness in a sensitive exhumation case, with lawyers accusing authorities of “shocking” indifference and intentional delays in the examination. the standoff threatens too derail efforts to locate and recover what are believed to be multiple buried bodies, with the witness’s lawyers asserting that thier client remains willing and able to assist, provided his safety can be assured.
The controversy centers on the police’s claim that the witness is inaccessible and that protection cannot be provided without knowing his precise location. However, Dheeraj SJ and Ananya Gowda, the lawyers representing the witness, have vehemently refuted thes assertions, issuing a strong statement accusing the police of obstructing the investigation.
“The police appear fully indifferent to the most compelling and irrefutable evidence the witness can provide-namely, the location and recovery of buried bodies,” the lawyers stated. “The continued delay is not just inexplicable, it is indeed shocking to the complainant.” They urged the police to treat the witness “not as an adversary but as a courageous individual seeking to correct a historic wrong,” emphasizing that he is “still alive” and ready to help.
An FIR was initially registered by the Dharmasthala police on July 4, and the witness’s statement was formally recorded before the Principal Civil Judge and First class Judicial Magistrate in Belthangady on July 11. The witness had also handed over remains he had previously exhumed. However, according to his legal team, no substantive steps have been taken by the police to exhume the other alleged bodies since that date.
Conflicting Accounts Emerge
In a press release issued on July 16, Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Arun K claimed that the complainant was unavailable and that the lawyers were uncooperative, leading to the cancellation of a planned mahazar (inquest report) for that day. He stated that certain procedures under Rule 7 of the Witness Protection Scheme necessitate the witness’s cooperation and that this had been communicated to the lawyers via email on July 10. The SP added that the lawyers had not shared the witness’s location and that all dialog had been conducted via email.
The police further cited a report from the DySP, which indicated that without knowing the witness’s whereabouts, it was impossible to inspect his accommodation or provide adequate protection.
These claims were swiftly dismissed by the witness’s lawyers as “demonstrably false.” They countered that the police had recorded the witness’s statement at a specific location for over four hours on July 14 and had been informed of his temporary address via email on July 13.
The lawyers also highlighted the grave danger their client faces, noting that he has named individuals in his statement to the magistrate and fears for his life.”He believes that each skeletal recovery reduces the motive for anyone to silence him. Every recovery improves his chances of survival,” they stated. The witness had reportedly expected to be taken to the burial sites for the mahazar on July 12, the day after his statement was recorded, a plan that has not materialized.Adding another layer to the dispute,the police alleged that the witness’s identity could no longer be protected due to details revealed through press releases and public statements. The lawyers found this assertion “highly objectionable,” particularly the investigating officer’s attempt to breach attorney-client privilege by questioning whether the witness had specifically instructed his lawyers to release redacted documents.They described this as a “serious overreach” that undermines essential legal protections.
Advocates Appeal to Chief Minister
In light of the escalating impasse, a delegation of lawyers, including senior advocates S Balan and CS Dwarakanath, met with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on July 16. They urged the chief Minister to intervene and ensure that appropriate action is taken to expedite the investigation and secure the witness’s safety. The outcome of this meeting remains to be seen, but the pressure is mounting on the authorities to break the deadlock and proceed with the crucial exhumation process.