{"id":4830,"date":"2025-07-17T18:57:27","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T13:27:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=4830"},"modified":"2025-07-17T19:16:36","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T13:46:36","slug":"hundreds-of-girls-raped-bodies-burnt-with-acid-legal-delegation-urges-cm-siddaramaiah-for-sit-probe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=4830","title":{"rendered":"&#8220;Hundreds of Girls Raped, Bodies Burnt With Acid:,&#8221; Legal Delegation Urges CM Siddaramaiah for SIT Probe"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1><strong>Dharmasthala Mass Rape and Murder Case Shocks Karnataka: Calls for SIT Probe Intensify<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p data-start=\"106\" data-end=\"418\"><strong data-start=\"106\" data-end=\"135\">Bengaluru | July 17, 2025<\/strong><br data-start=\"135\" data-end=\"138\" \/>A shocking revelation of alleged mass rapes, murders, and secret burials of hundreds of young women and girls in Dharmasthala has sent shockwaves across Karnataka, triggering widespread demands for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter thoroughly and impartially.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"420\" data-end=\"756\">The allegations gained momentum after a man, who once worked in Dharmasthala, reportedly came forward and confessed to his role in burying nearly 400 bodies of women and girls at multiple locations in the area. His confession, reportedly recorded before a magistrate, included specific details of the sites where the bodies were buried.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"758\" data-end=\"797\">Legal Delegation Presses for Action<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"799\" data-end=\"1066\">In response, a delegation led by <strong data-start=\"832\" data-end=\"887\">retired Supreme Court judge Justice V. Gopala Gowda<\/strong>, along with advocates <strong data-start=\"910\" data-end=\"922\">S. Balan<\/strong>, <strong data-start=\"924\" data-end=\"944\">C.S. Dwarakanath<\/strong>, and <strong data-start=\"950\" data-end=\"969\">Narasimhamurthy<\/strong>, addressed a press conference at the Bengaluru Press Club, demanding swift and impartial action.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1068\" data-end=\"1391\">\u201cThis is one of the most brutal cases in the history of independent India,\u201d Justice Gopala Gowda remarked. \u201cSuch a heinous crime cannot occur without the involvement or protection of powerful people. Yet, we see utter negligence from the Home Minister and no action from the government to order a proper SIT investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1393\" data-end=\"1724\">He warned that any harm to the whistleblower, witnesses, or lawyers involved in the case would hold the government, the Home Minister, and the Director General of Police responsible. \u201cThe person has not just made empty allegations\u2014he has confessed and identified burial sites. This is serious and cannot be brushed aside,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4841\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4841\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4841\" src=\"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Dharmasthala-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Dharmasthala-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Dharmasthala-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Dharmasthala-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Dharmasthala-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Dharmasthala.jpeg 1599w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4841\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Advocate S. Balan: \u201cCongress, BJP, and JDS\u2014when it comes to this case, they\u2019re two sides of the same coin. No one dares act because the accused are politically and financially powerful.\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 data-start=\"1726\" data-end=\"1765\">A Systemic Crime: Lawyers Speak Out<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1767\" data-end=\"2108\">Advocate <strong data-start=\"1776\" data-end=\"1788\">S. Balan<\/strong> described the incident as a case of <em data-start=\"1825\" data-end=\"1867\">mass rape, mass murder, and mass burials<\/em>. \u201cFor years, girls and women have gone missing in Dharmasthala. Now, we know they were raped, murdered, and buried. Girls like Padmalata, Ananya Bhat, Soujanya, Vedavalli, and many others were allegedly subjected to these horrors,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2110\" data-end=\"2411\">The delegation met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and urged the government to form an SIT, preferably under the supervision of a sitting or retired High Court or Supreme Court judge. \u201cIf the government fails to act, we will move the courts and file a PIL. The law will take its own course,\u201d Balan warned.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"2413\" data-end=\"2445\">Brutality Beyond Imagination<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2447\" data-end=\"2843\">Advocate <strong data-start=\"2456\" data-end=\"2476\">C.S. Dwarakanath<\/strong> highlighted the depth of cruelty in the alleged crimes. \u201cSchool and college girls were raped. In some cases, their private parts were burnt with acid. Even during Nizam\u2019s rule, such crimes weren\u2019t seen,\u201d he said emotionally. \u201cThe police investigation so far is inadequate, slow, and biased, being handled by officials appointed by those possibly linked to the case.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2845\" data-end=\"2971\">He stressed the urgent need to provide protection to the key witness, advocates, and all those involved in exposing the crime.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"2973\" data-end=\"3013\">Political Apathy Across the Spectrum<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3015\" data-end=\"3399\">When questioned about the silence of political parties, Advocate Balan accused both the ruling Congress and opposition BJP and JDS of being complicit by inaction. \u201cFor years, these crimes occurred under different governments. Now, when a credible witness has emerged and testified under Section 183 of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), there is still no serious action,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"3401\" data-end=\"3424\">Government Response<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3426\" data-end=\"3629\">The delegation stated that CM Siddaramaiah assured them he would consult with senior police officials and take appropriate steps. However, no formal announcement regarding an SIT has been made as of now.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"3631\" data-end=\"3663\">Demands from the Delegation:<\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"3664\" data-end=\"3921\">\n<li data-start=\"3664\" data-end=\"3764\">\n<p data-start=\"3666\" data-end=\"3764\">Immediate formation of a Special Investigation Team comprising senior and honest police officials.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3765\" data-end=\"3841\">\n<p data-start=\"3767\" data-end=\"3841\">Police protection for the witness, advocates, and families of the victims.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3842\" data-end=\"3921\">\n<p data-start=\"3844\" data-end=\"3921\">Judicial monitoring of the investigation to ensure fairness and transparency.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3923\" data-end=\"4143\">The alleged crimes in Dharmasthala represent a disturbing chapter in Karnataka\u2019s history. As the demand for justice grows louder, all eyes are now on the state government and its willingness to act without fear or favor.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4831\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4831\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4831\" src=\"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/dharmasthala-1024x558.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"558\" srcset=\"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/dharmasthala-1024x558.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/dharmasthala-300x164.jpg 300w, https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/dharmasthala-768x419.jpg 768w, https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/dharmasthala-1536x837.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/dharmasthala-2048x1117.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4831\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em><strong>\u201cThis is one of the most brutal cases in the history of independent India,\u201d Retd. SC Judge, Justice Gopalagowda<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 data-start=\"560\" data-end=\"608\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">\ud83d\udde3\ufe0f <strong data-start=\"567\" data-end=\"608\">Key Quotes from the Press Conference:<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 data-start=\"610\" data-end=\"670\"><\/h3>\n<h3 data-start=\"610\" data-end=\"670\"><strong data-start=\"614\" data-end=\"670\">Justice V. Gopala Gowda (Retd. Supreme Court Judge):<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"671\" data-end=\"985\">\n<li data-start=\"671\" data-end=\"748\">\n<p data-start=\"673\" data-end=\"748\">\u201cThis is one of the most brutal cases in the history of independent India.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"749\" data-end=\"831\">\n<p data-start=\"751\" data-end=\"831\">\u201cThere must be powerful forces behind this who are trying to suppress the case.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"832\" data-end=\"985\">\n<p data-start=\"834\" data-end=\"985\">\u201cThe government\u2019s inaction is shocking. If anything happens to the witness or lawyers, the DGP, Home Minister, and the state will be held responsible.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"987\" data-end=\"990\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"992\" data-end=\"1018\"><strong data-start=\"996\" data-end=\"1018\">Advocate S. Balan:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"1019\" data-end=\"1435\">\n<li data-start=\"1019\" data-end=\"1165\">\n<p data-start=\"1021\" data-end=\"1165\">\u201cThis is a clear case of mass rape, mass murder, and mass burial. The confession is not just an allegation\u2014it is detailed and legally recorded.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1166\" data-end=\"1291\">\n<p data-start=\"1168\" data-end=\"1291\">\u201cYoung women and girls like Padmalata, Ananya Bhat, Vedavalli, and others were brutally murdered. The truth must come out.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1292\" data-end=\"1435\">\n<p data-start=\"1294\" data-end=\"1435\">\u201cIf the government does not act, we will approach the court and file a PIL. What is the use of a government that doesn\u2019t act on such crimes?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"1437\" data-end=\"1440\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"1442\" data-end=\"1476\"><strong data-start=\"1446\" data-end=\"1476\">Advocate C.S. Dwarakanath:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"1477\" data-end=\"1813\">\n<li data-start=\"1477\" data-end=\"1603\">\n<p data-start=\"1479\" data-end=\"1603\">\u201cSchool and college girls were raped. Some had their private parts burnt with acid. This is inhuman and beyond imagination.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1604\" data-end=\"1666\">\n<p data-start=\"1606\" data-end=\"1666\">\u201cEven during the Nizam\u2019s rule, we did not see such cruelty.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1667\" data-end=\"1813\">\n<p data-start=\"1669\" data-end=\"1813\">\u201cThe investigation is deliberately being delayed and diluted by appointing officers close to the suspects. We need an SIT monitored by a judge.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"1815\" data-end=\"1818\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"1820\" data-end=\"1848\"><strong data-start=\"1824\" data-end=\"1848\">On Political Apathy:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"1849\" data-end=\"2203\">\n<li data-start=\"1849\" data-end=\"2039\">\n<p data-start=\"1851\" data-end=\"2039\"><em data-start=\"1851\" data-end=\"1871\">Advocate S. Balan:<\/em> \u201cCongress, BJP, and JDS\u2014when it comes to this case, they\u2019re two sides of the same coin. No one dares act because the accused are politically and financially powerful.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2040\" data-end=\"2203\">\n<p data-start=\"2042\" data-end=\"2203\">\u201cToday, for the first time, we have a witness who gave a signed confession under BNS Section 183 and named individuals. Yet, no serious response from the state.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"4150\" data-end=\"4253\">#DharmasthalaCase #MassRape #MassBurial #JusticeForVictims #SITProbeNow #KarnatakaCrime<\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_4830\" class=\"pvc_stats total_only  \" data-element-id=\"4830\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 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19 290 -38 163 -166 304 -326 360 -67 23 -215 33 -279 19z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/i> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif\" border=0 \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dharmasthala Mass Rape and Murder Case Shocks Karnataka: Calls for SIT Probe Intensify Bengaluru | July 17, 2025A shocking revelation of alleged mass rapes, murders, and secret burials of hundreds of young women and girls in Dharmasthala has sent shockwaves across Karnataka, triggering widespread demands for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4842,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[66],"tags":[73,1103,1105,178,1104,74,606],"class_list":["post-4830","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-karnataka","tag-bengaluru","tag-dharmasthala","tag-dharmasthala-temple","tag-high-court","tag-justice-gopalagowda","tag-karnataka","tag-supreme-court"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4830","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4830"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4830\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4843,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4830\/revisions\/4843"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4842"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4830"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4830"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4830"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}