Tumkur district president of the Janajagruti Vedike Sanjay Nayak has alleged that the governments of the day were responsible for the “improper” investigation by the police into the rape and murder cases reported from in and around Dharmasthala, including that of a 17-year-old student from Ujire.
At a joint press conference here on Sunday, office-bearers of organisations including the vedike, Basava Sene and Parshvanatha Jain Samaja expressed support to the Dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala D. Veerendra Heggade.
Mr. Nayak demanded a high-level investigation into the rape and murder of the 17-year-old student.
He alleged that vested interests were dragging the names of Mr. Heggade and his family members into the matter. He claimed that they were not involved in any criminal or anti-social activity. He demanded that those defaming Dharmasthala and Mr. Heggade be punished.
To a question on the other rape and murder cases reported in Dharmasthala, they said, “We don’t know about any other cases....”
Mr. Nayak said a silent march would be taken out by members of 45 organisations from the Government Junior College grounds to the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Tuesday to demand the government to punish those defaming Dharmasthala, and in support of Mr. Heggade and his family.
