The arrest of a former temple cleaner in Karnataka, who claimed to have buried victims of rape and murder, has prompted a significant investigation and political uproar. A Special Investigation Team was formed to validate his allegations, while the temple administration argues the claims are baseless.
Arrest of Former Temple Cleaner Alleges Disturbing Crime Wave in Karnataka
Arrest of Former Temple Cleaner Alleges Disturbing Crime Wave in Karnataka
A controversial arrest in Karnataka raises questions about alleged mass murders linked to a prominent temple, igniting political and social turmoil.
Police in India have arrested a former temple cleaner who claimed he was forced to bury the bodies of hundreds of women who were allegedly raped and murdered in the temple town of Dharmasthala, Karnataka. His startling allegations have thrown the small religious community into chaos, prompting political reactions and the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the matter.
Identified only as a middle-aged man with a concealed identity, he reported that during his employment at the temple from 1995 to 2014, he was coerced into burying the remains of numerous girls and young women. He detailed five specific incidents in his police complaint, emphasizing that some of the victims were minors. The unusual nature of his claims, asserting that he had hidden since 2014 until a “nagging conscience” compelled him to speak out publicly, has raised eyebrows.
His allegations have been dismissed as "false and baseless" by the temple administration, whose chief, Veerendra Heggade, is a prominent figure in Indian society and has previously been awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second-highest civilian honor. As the situation escalated, the local women's commission became involved, stressing the importance of a thorough investigation into the claims.
The investigation has involved excavating locations the man identified, where he claimed many bodies were buried. Authorities have confirmed the discovery of human remains at two sites, but forensic testing is underway to determine their origins. The allegations have also intensified scrutiny of the Heggade family, the temple’s hereditary administrators, who staunchly defended their integrity.
Political implications have surfaced as well, leading to discussions in the state assembly, where opposition figures labeled the accusations a targeted smear against a revered Hindu religious site. Karnataka's Home Minister, G Parameshwara, has stated that the investigation is focused purely on truth-seeking without bias.
As this complex situation unfolds, the implications extend far beyond the temple’s tranquility, now entrenched in a mix of societal woe, political contention, and a wave of media attention surrounding widespread sexual violence in India.
