High Court seeks state’s response on SIT probe into Dharmasthala deaths

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, January 14, 2026: The High Court has directed the state government to present its position on a petition seeking a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into multiple deaths reported in Dharmasthala village between 1990 and 2021.

The public interest litigation was filed by Kusumavati, mother of Soujanya, and was heard by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Poonacha. The petitioner’s counsel highlighted that several deaths had occurred within the jurisdiction of the Dharmasthala police station. Although an SIT has been constituted, it is reportedly investigating only one FIR, while no separate FIRs have been registered for other alleged murders and missing person cases. The petitioner argued that this approach is inadequate.

The government advocate informed the court that copies of the petition and related documents had not yet been received. The bench therefore directed that the state be provided with copies and asked the government to collect details and submit its stand. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on February 3.

State Women’s Commission Seeks SIT Report on Dharmasthala Cases

Meanwhile, the Karnataka State Women’s Commission has requested directions to obtain the SIT’s investigation report and updates on cases of unnatural deaths of women and missing young women within the Dharmasthala police station limits in Dakshina Kannada district.

Commission chairperson Dr. Nagalakshmi Chowdhary wrote to Chief Secretary Dr. Shalini Rajneesh, recalling that the commission had previously urged the government to constitute an SIT under senior police officers for a comprehensive and impartial investigation into alleged unnatural deaths, missing persons, assaults, and sexual violence in the area. Acting on the commission’s recommendation, the government had instructed the SIT to investigate all criminal cases, including those in other police stations.

However, Dr. Chowdhary noted that despite earlier correspondence with the SIT chief, no response or report has been received to date.