Dharmasthala: Family seeks SIT probe into 2012 Dharmasthala double murder case

Dharmasthala: Family seeks SIT probe into 2012 Dharmasthala double murder case

Mangalore Today News Network

Belthangady, Aug 18, 2025: The family of Narayan Safalya, a mahout from Dharmasthala, and his sister Yamuna, who were brutally murdered in 2012 at their residence in Burje, Dharmasthala, have urged the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to reopen the probe and bring justice.

On Monday, Narayan’s children Ganesh and Bharathi submitted a petition at the SIT office in Belthangady, demanding a thorough investigation and identification of the culprits.

According to the complaint, Narayan, who had retired as a mahout in Dharmasthala, and his sister Yamuna were found murdered in their house on September 21, 2012. The victims had suffered fatal head injuries—Narayan was struck with a large stone, and Yamuna with a grinding stone.

The family alleged that Narayan had been facing threats for years from Harshendra Kumar, brother of Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade, who had allegedly pressured him to vacate his ancestral home in Burje. The complaint claims that Harshendra Kumar had even assaulted Narayan on two occasions and, on September 20, 2012, issued a death threat if the house was not vacated.

On the night of September 21, Narayan and Yamuna returned home after watching a play organized during Ganesh Chaturthi. The next day, locals noticed the house locked until noon, and upon entry, discovered the siblings murdered.

The family stated that the victims had no wealth or valuables, and robbery was not a motive. They believe the killings were carried out solely to take possession of the ancestral property.

The complaint also alleges that when they informed Veerendra Heggade about the murders three days later, he dismissed it saying, “What had to happen has happened, let it go.” They further claimed that after the incident, Harshendra Kumar locked the house and prevented them from retrieving any belongings.

The victims’ family had earlier filed a complaint with the Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police on November 5, 2013, but no action was taken. Copies of the earlier complaints were also submitted to the SIT.

SIT officials, upon receiving the petition, assured that the complaint would be reviewed and forwarded to the jurisdictional police station for further action.

The family has appealed for a proper investigation, immediate identification of the accused, and justice for the brutal killings of Narayan and Yamuna.