A man has been arrested for perjury after alleging widespread rapes and secret burials in a Karnataka temple, prompting a state investigation.
Allegations of Rape and Secret Burials in Karnataka Temple Lead to Arrest
Allegations of Rape and Secret Burials in Karnataka Temple Lead to Arrest
A former temple cleaner's shocking claims have incited political controversy and an ongoing investigation.
In a shocking twist of events unfolding in the religious town of Dharmasthala, Karnataka, police have arrested a former temple cleaner who alleged he was coerced into burying the bodies of numerous young women he claimed were raped and murdered. The accusations have sent shockwaves through this centuries-old pilgrimage site, renowned for its sacred temple dedicated to Manjunatha Swamy, a Hindu deity.
The man, who has remained anonymous and has been seen publicly clad in black attire, was arrested on charges of perjury, according to sources from a Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to examine his claims. Earlier this month, he filed a police complaint detailing incidents from his tenure as a cleaner at the temple between 1995 and 2014, stating that he was forced to bury the bodies of hundreds of female victims, some allegedly minors. He alleges that he lived in hiding for years before deciding to come forward.
His story included specific details of five incidents and implied the involvement of the temple administration, a claim that has been vehemently denied by the chief temple administrator, Veerendra Heggade. During his appearance in magistrate court, the cleaner produced a human skull, asserting it was from a victim he buried. However, officials from the SIT have disputed the origins of this evidence.
Following the allegations, the SIT has conducted extensive excavations in the region, revealing human remains, including a skull and numerous bone fragments from two identified burial sites. The investigation has thus far failed to confirm the identities of these remains, heightening tensions in the community.
The case has sparked a fierce political debate, with the state government pressured to address the allegations amid concerns raised by local women's groups. In a recent assembly session, the opposition party criticized the claims as a targeted attack on a revered Hindu shrine. Meanwhile, Karnataka's Home Minister emphasized the importance of uncovering the truth, regardless of the outcome for the temple's reputation.
Support for the investigation has been reaffirmed by Heggade, who expressed confidence in the judicial process while distancing the temple from the claims made by the former cleaner. The situation continues to unfold, keeping the small, devout community on edge while they await the findings of the ongoing investigation.
The man, who has remained anonymous and has been seen publicly clad in black attire, was arrested on charges of perjury, according to sources from a Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to examine his claims. Earlier this month, he filed a police complaint detailing incidents from his tenure as a cleaner at the temple between 1995 and 2014, stating that he was forced to bury the bodies of hundreds of female victims, some allegedly minors. He alleges that he lived in hiding for years before deciding to come forward.
His story included specific details of five incidents and implied the involvement of the temple administration, a claim that has been vehemently denied by the chief temple administrator, Veerendra Heggade. During his appearance in magistrate court, the cleaner produced a human skull, asserting it was from a victim he buried. However, officials from the SIT have disputed the origins of this evidence.
Following the allegations, the SIT has conducted extensive excavations in the region, revealing human remains, including a skull and numerous bone fragments from two identified burial sites. The investigation has thus far failed to confirm the identities of these remains, heightening tensions in the community.
The case has sparked a fierce political debate, with the state government pressured to address the allegations amid concerns raised by local women's groups. In a recent assembly session, the opposition party criticized the claims as a targeted attack on a revered Hindu shrine. Meanwhile, Karnataka's Home Minister emphasized the importance of uncovering the truth, regardless of the outcome for the temple's reputation.
Support for the investigation has been reaffirmed by Heggade, who expressed confidence in the judicial process while distancing the temple from the claims made by the former cleaner. The situation continues to unfold, keeping the small, devout community on edge while they await the findings of the ongoing investigation.
