Archive · 31 Oct 2025
Karnataka High Court Halts Dharmasthala Investigation Amidst Activist Petition
Some people who used to say there were mass burials in Dharmasthala have now asked a court to stop the police investigation.
They claim the police are not following the rules correctly and are bothering them with too many questions.
The original story came from a worker who said he buried many bodies.
However, the police investigation found no proof and arrested the worker, who then said the activists made him tell the false story.
Now, the activists are saying the police made a mistake when they first started the case.
The court has temporarily stopped the investigation and will hear more on November 12.
Karnataka High Court granted an interim stay on the SIT probe into alleged mass burials in Dharmasthala until November 12.
The stay was issued following a petition by four activists who previously supported the original complainant.
The activists claim the SIT is employing improper legal procedures and harassing them with excessive questioning.
The original FIR was filed based on claims by a former sanitation worker who alleged burying numerous bodies.
The SIT has stated the original complainant confessed to being forced by the activists to make false claims, and the activists claim the FIR registration was procedurally flawed.
- Who
- Four activists: Girish Mattanavar, Mahesh Shetty Thimarody, T Jayant, and Vittala Gowda
- What
- Filed a petition seeking to quash the FIR and halt the SIT probe into alleged mass burials in Dharmasthala.
- When
- Thursday, October 30, 2025, with the stay effective until November 12.
- Where
- Karnataka High Court, Dharmasthala
- Why
- The activists claim the SIT is using improper legal procedures and harassing them, and that the FIR registration was technically flawed.
Activists' Stance
Government/SIT's Stance
Legitimacy of SIT Procedures and FIR Registration
Activists' Stance
The activists argue that the SIT is using improper legal procedures, harassing them with excessive questioning, and that the initial FIR registration was technically flawed because the police did not obtain proper magistrate permission.
Government/SIT's Stance
The government's lawyer argued the activists were 'taking the judiciary for a ride' and that they were the ones who initially pushed for the FIR. The SIT also stated the original complainant confessed to being forced by these activists to make false claims.
- Allegation Subject
- Mass burials in Dharmasthala
- Initial Complainant
- Unnamed former sanitation worker
- Petitioners
- Girish Mattanavar, Mahesh Shetty Thimarody, T Jayant, Vittala Gowda
- Investigation Body
- Special Investigation Team (SIT)
- Court
- Karnataka High Court
- Stay Period
- Until November 12
Sources
Men Who Backed Police Case In Dharmasthala Now Urge Court To Cancel It
Karnataka HC Adjourns Hearing on Dharmasthala Mass Burial FIR to Nov 12
Dharmasthala burials case: Karnataka HC stays probe case as activists who initially backed complainant file plea
Dharmasthala mass burial case update: Karnataka HC grants interim halt to SIT probe on activists' plea — details here
