Beltangady Murders - Dr Heggade Calls for Probe, Slams Rumours
Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (VM)
Beltangady, Nov 16: In connection to the murders of an elderly couple and 17-year-old Sowjanya, Shree Kshetra Dhamasthala Dharmaadhikari Dr Veerendra Heggade has called for intervention of top investigation agencies to probe the cases.
"There are various doubts arising among the people with regard to these cases. Hence the state government should hand over the cases to top investigating agencies," he said, addressing a press meet here on Thursday November 15.
"With an intention to bring bad name to Shree Kshetra Dhramasthala, people are spreading false rumours," he said.
"In Dharmasthala, three murders have taken place in two separate incidents. On September 20, two innocent mentally ill siblings were crushed to death with a stone. On October 8, Sowjanya was brutally raped and murdered while she was going home after college. In connection to the murder of mentally ill brother and sister, so far no clue has been found and police have arrested one person involved in Sowjanya’s murder," he said.
"As soon as Sowjanya’s parents realized that she was missing, they had come to visit me. I had asked them to seek the help of police. Later when Sowjanya’s body was found, I had called home minister R Ashok as well as the police commissioner asking them to take strict action in the case. The murder and rape of Sowjanya in broad daylight has instilled fear among the people. On the same day, I also called district in-charge minister C T Ravi urging quick investigation," he added.
"Meanwhile, residents of Dharmasthala and Beltangady taluk staged a protest and later, on October 22, after the arrest of murderer Santhosh Rao, I had asked home minister R Ashok to hand over the case to COD when he visited the temple."
False News
Dr Heggade said that over the past 15 days, false news was being spread among residents through SMS alleging involvement of more people in the murder case. "People are assuming that land mafia is taking place across the taluk, which is not true," he added.
"Even if the murders were done separately, there was intention behind them," he said, urging officials concerned to take strict action against those who spread false rumours and asked government to appoint top investigating agencies before any witness escapes. "Only then will the truth be revealed," he said.
"The Temple is well known across the globe. It is known for its values and is a role model to most of the shrines," said Heggade.
He asked people not to worry about false rumours and wished that people would continue to live in peace and harmony as before.
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