The Karnataka government has formed a special investigation team (SIT) to investigate the incidents of murder, sexual harassment and disappearance of women in the Dharmasthal area of South Kannada district. This government order of Saturday (July 19, 2025) was shared to the press on Sunday (July 20, 2025).
The Special Investigation Team will be headed by Pranab Mohanty, Director General of Police of Internal Security Division. Its other members include Additional Police Commissioner (Recruitment) MN Anucheth, Deputy Commissioner of Police (CAR Headquarters) Soumya Lata and Superintendent of Police (Internal Security Division) Jitendra Kumar Dayama.
Steps taken in response to the letter of Chairman Nagalakshmi Chaudhary
The move has been taken in response to the letter of Nagalakshmi Chaudhary, the state of Karnataka State Women’s Commission, in which she cited the statement made by a person in the court, claiming that hundreds of bodies were buried in the Dharmasthal area.
The Commission also took seriously the news about finding out the human skulls and underlining the statements made by the family of a missing medical student. The Commission said that these reports and testimony given in the court indicates misconduct, unnatural deaths and a worrying tendency of the disappearance of women and students, which have been going on for more than 20 years.
SIT responsibility to investigate related matters
A case has already been registered in the Dharmasthal Police Station under Section 211 (A) of the Indian Justice Code (BNS). The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has not only been empowered to investigate the current case, but has also been entrusted with the responsibility of investigation for all related matters registered in other police stations across the state, whether they are already registered or registered in future.
Director General of Police (DGP) will hand over such cases to the SIT and provide necessary personnel. The SIT will use the resources of South Kannada District Police Office and will submit the DGP regularly updated information. A comprehensive investigation report will be submitted to the government as soon as possible through the DGP.
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