No exhumation done at Point 13 in Dharmasthala, 7 FIRs filed after flareup involving YouTubers

MANGALURU: On the ninth day of the spot inspection in the alleged mass burial case in Dharmasthala, the special investigation team (SIT) did not conduct exhumation at the 13th spot marked by the anonymous complainant. Meanwhile, seven FIRs were registered at two police station against more than 150 people after tensions flared at Pangala after a TV crew and three YouTubers were attacked by a mob.

On Thursday, the SIT discussed using ground-penetrating radars at Point 13 which is close to the Netravathi damn and where two electricity poles have been erected. As Assistant Commissioner Stella Verghese was taking part in a video conference regarding clearance of files for more than three hours, the SIT decided to put off the exhumation exercise.

The police also questioned the anonymous complainant for about two-and-half house at the SIT office in Belthangady along with 10 others. So far, the SIT has questioned more than 15 people. After the questioning, the complainant left the SIT office along with three advocates.

Meanwhile cases have been registered against Mahesh Timarodi, Girish Mattannavar, Sameer, Jayanth and others after a TV reporter and cameraman, and other YouTubers were allegedly assaulted by locals at Pangala near Dharmasthala. While four FIRs were registered at Dharmasthala police station, three FIRs were filed at Belthangady police station for unlawful assembly.

On Wednesday night, locals staged a protest in front of the Dharmasthala police station demanding action against the YouTubers for allegedly spread false information. On Thursday, additional police forces were also deployed with four platoons of the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and the District Armed Reserve (DAR) posted at Dharmasthala, Netravathi and Ujire.