Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady
Beltangady, Jul 26: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to probe the unnatural death cases reported years ago in Dharmasthala village has formally begun its operations, holding back-to-back meetings on Friday.
The investigation team has been constituted under the leadership of Pranav Mohanty, director general of police, internal security division. DIG of police recruitment division, M N Anucheth, and SP of internal security division, Jitendra Kumar Dayama, are serving as members of the SIT. Both Anucheth and Dayama arrived in Dakshina Kannada on Friday and conducted two key meetings in Mangaluru.
They held discussions at the Circuit House in Mangaluru with officers and staff assigned to the SIT from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada districts. Later in the evening, they held another round of deliberations with Western Range IGP Amit Singh at his office.
The SIT consists of 20 officials, including inspectors, sub-inspectors, head constables, and constables. According to sources, 12 of these personnel participated in the meeting held at the Circuit House. Anucheth is said to have informed that all members of the SIT will be actively engaged in the investigation process within the next couple of days.
The consultation with IGP Amit Singh reportedly lasted for over two hours. When media personnel tried to speak with Anucheth after the meeting, he declined to comment, saying only, "Nothing to say at this point."
Preparations are underway to establish the SIT’s office in two ground-floor rooms of a new building within the police quarters near Beltangady police station. As per the instructions of district superintendent of police Arun K, the Beltangady police have made necessary arrangements to facilitate the functioning of the SIT from this location.
Earlier, it was speculated that the SIT office could be set up either at the Mangaluru superintendent of police’s office, in Beltangady, or in Dharmasthala village itself. However, the department has now decided that Beltangady would be the most suitable location for streamlined investigative operations, according to official sources.
Given the sensitive nature of the case, SIT officials have decided to maintain a high level of confidentiality. Sources indicate that strict instructions have been issued to prevent any leaks regarding movements, meetings, or investigation details.