Govt to consider handing over Dharmasthala probe to CID

BENGALURU: The government is likely to take another significant decision regarding the Dharmasthala case. There are indications that the government is considering handing over the investigation into the alleged conspiracy against Dharmasthala to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The government is likely to receive a quick report from the special investigation team (SIT) and then discuss about disbanding it. The Chief Minister has already instructed the SIT to submit its report quickly and has also sought information about Chinnaiah’s investigation.

If the conspiracy is found to be wider, the government might decide to hand over the investigation to the CID. The Chief Minister and Home Minister have already had initial discussions with DG&IGP M A Salim and SIT chief Pronab Mohanty and another meeting is likely to be held in a couple of days.

The SIT’s investigation has faced objections from many quarters and there’s growing resentment among devotees and Hindu organisations against the alleged smear campaign. The government is likely to get out of the sticky situation by ordering a separate investigation.

The SIT was formed to investigate cases of missing girls, rape and murder based on the masked man’s complaints, but despite digging 17 pits, no remains of girls were found. The SIT’s investigation has also been criticized. Considering all these challenges, the government is considering handing over the case to the CID to unravel the conspiracy behind Chinnaiah’s complaint.