High Court lifts stay on SIT probe into Dharmasthala buried bodies case

Bengaluru : In a major development, the Karnataka High Court has vacated the interim stay earlier granted on the Special Investigation Team (SIT) inquiry into the sensational Dharmasthala case, in which allegations had surfaced that several human bodies were buried in the temple town.

With this order, the SIT can now resume its investigation into the case that has stirred political and religious circles across the state. The accused — Vithal Gowda, Girish Mattannavar, Mahesh Shetty Timarodi, and T. Jayanth — will now have to appear before the SIT for questioning.

The petitioners had earlier challenged a notice issued by the Beltangady police, which directed them to appear for inquiry in connection with FIR No. 39/2025 registered at Dharmasthala Police Station. Hearing the plea, Justice P.M. Nawaz vacated the stay, allowing the SIT to proceed with the probe.

Arguments before the court
During the hearing, the government counsel submitted that the petitioners had already been issued multiple notices in the past and were questioned for more than 150 hours. Initially, they were treated as witnesses, but fresh evidence had surfaced that warranted their interrogation as accused.

The counsel further informed the court that the SIT was following proper legal procedure under the Karnataka Police Act and Criminal Procedure Code. On the other hand, the petitioners’ counsel argued that the SIT’s repeated summons were illegal and motivated.

He pointed out that the petitioners had been called for questioning nine times already and that they were neither named as accused in the FIR nor formally served summons. Notices were allegedly sent via WhatsApp and email instead of through the prescribed legal procedure.

The petitioners further contended that the repeated questioning was politically motivated and influenced by religious and organizational rivalries. “They are being made to sit from morning till midnight. Over 150 hours of interrogation have already been conducted. The SIT first registered an FIR under Section 211(A) and later added other sections two and a half months afterward,” their counsel told the bench.

SIT’s stance
Representing the SIT, the prosecution argued that the investigation was based on credible information and that one Chinnayya had lodged the original complaint after being allegedly instigated by the petitioners. His subsequent statement under Section 164 of the CrPC implicated the petitioners directly.

The SIT also informed the court that during the course of investigation, excavations were carried out at 20 different locations in Dharmasthala village, but most of the allegations were found to be baseless. However, as certain inconsistencies remained, the SIT decided to proceed with further inquiry, converting some of the witnesses into accused.

After hearing both sides, Justice P.M. Nawaz vacated the interim stay and permitted the SIT to continue its investigation.

The court’s decision marks a crucial turning point in the Dharmasthala case, which has attracted widespread attention due to its sensitive religious and social undertones. With the stay lifted, the SIT is now expected to summon the accused again and intensify its investigation in the coming days.

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