Activist Alleges Police Push-Up Of Minor Girl’s Death At Dharmasthala
According to the complaint submitted by Jayant T on Monday, the incident occurred between 2002 and 2003.
Belthangady: A case has been registered at the Dharmasthala police station following a complaint by a resident of Ichilampady, Jayant T., who has accused a police officer of being responsible for burying the body of a minor girl in a forest area more than two decades ago, without registering a case or following legal procedures.
Jayant initially approached the special investigation team (SIT) in Belthangady with the complaint. After reviewing its contents, the SIT directed him to submit it at the local police station following which he filed the complaint at the Dharmasthala police station on Monday. Police officials have stated that further action will be taken on the complaint.
According to the complaint, the incident occurred between 2002 and 2003. The activist claimed that residents had discovered the body of a girl, believed to be around 13 to 15 years old, in the forest near National Highway 37, and informed the police under the jurisdiction of the Belthangady Circle.
Jayant alleged that nearly a week later, a police officer arrived in an auto-rickshaw, took photographs, and told residents that the deceased was a woman aged around 35 to 40 who had died by suicide. The body was then buried in a pit, approximately one to two feet deep.
The complainant maintained that the body was clearly that of a minor girl and alleged that the police made no attempt to investigate the death.
“Despite being alerted by residents soon after the body was discovered, the officer visited the site only after a week and buried it at the same location. No criminal case was registered, no inquest was conducted, no post-mortem was carried out, and the forest department was not informed,” the complaint said.
Jayant, who claims to be a witness, said he remained silent at the time out of fear and trauma. He added that he is now coming forward with full faith in the SIT and is willing to produce other witnesses who can corroborate the incident if required.
This complaint comes at a time when the SIT is already investigating allegations of secret burials of murder and sexual assault victims in Dharmasthala.