[Dharmasthala Burial Case] 'Will Open Pandora's Box': Karnataka High Court Remarks On Residents' Plea To Excavate Sites Identified By Them

In a plea by two persons seeking SIT to inspect and excavate bodies at locations identified by them in Dharmasthala Burial case, the Karnataka High Court on Thursday orally remarked that if such a relief is granted then it will lead to opening a pandora's box where more people can come to court with claims of seeing bodies and seek investigation.

During the hearing the SIT informed Justice M Nagaprasanna that representations made by petitioners was based on the information disclosed to them by the original complainant.

Special Public Prosecutor B N Jagadeesha informed the court that the original complainant has been arrested and during the investigation carried out based on his complaint the sites were excavated and two bodies recovered. However, those were not found to be of females.

He further said, “Our investigation is that the original complainant is lying. Because he is given witness protection, he is constantly being monitored along with a stream of lawyers and a conspiracy angle is to be unearthed now.”

Following which the court asked the petitioners counsel whether they had any independent information apart from what was disclosed by the complainant to them.

Senior Counsel Deepak Khosla appearing for the petitioners argued that based upon their discussion with the complainant they have gone to sites and they have personally witnessed bodies. After the complainant narrated to the petitioners they visited the sites and found that what the complainant has told them is substantially true, he said.

He added “My question is do we need thousand bodies, hundred bodies or one body?"

To which the bench orally said, “That is a different thing, but you are claiming information from the original complainant, and his complaint is investigated and what is to be done is done. If we permit this, then two more persons can come tomorrow saying we have seen.”

Khosla then said “Lordships would allow some relief in the petition and it would give impetus to the investigation.”

The bench then orally said: “If we allow relief in this petition it will lead to opening a pandora's box.”

However, Khosla said that if relief is granted in the present petition then people can go directly to the SIT and give information and not come to the court.

The bench however remarked, “If you would have had independent information then it would be different. What information you have place it on record.”

The court in its order recorded “Heard the counsel for the petitioners the ld counsel submits that information apart from what the original complainant had is available at the hands of the petitioners as well and would place it on record. List the petition for further hearing on September 26.”

The plea seeks a direction to the SIT to consider the petitioners representation and  take immediate, time-bound action to conduct site inspections and excavations at the locations identified by the petitioners in their presence.

In the alternative the plea seeks appointment of a court commissioner, such as the Registrar (Judicial) or a Retired district judge, to accompany the petitioners to the sites they wish to identify, and to submit a factual report on the visible state of affairs to the court.

It further seeks a direction to the SIT to submit a periodic status report to the court on the progress made in investigating all leads related to clandestine burials, to ensure its mandate for a comprehensive investigation is fulfilled in letter and in spirit.

Case Title: Purandara Gowda & ANR AND Special Investigation Team

Case No: WP 27570/2025

Appearance: Senior Counsel Deepak Khosal for Petitioners.

Special Public Prosecutor B N Jagadeesha for Respondent.