Belthangady Court Refuses to Act on SIT’s Interim Report; Full Investigation Report Awaited

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Belthangady : In a significant development in the high-profile Dharmasthala case, the Additional Court of Belthangady has declined to grant permission to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to take action based on its interim report. The SIT had filed an application seeking the court’s approval to initiate proceedings against six individuals, including activist Mahesh Shetty. However, Judge Vijayendra T.H. ruled that the current report is incomplete. The court has decided to keep the interim findings on hold, stating that no orders can be passed against anyone until a comprehensive and final report is submitted by the SIT.

Arguments and Legal Defense
During the hearing, senior advocate Dore Raju from Bengaluru, along with Vijay Vasu Poojary, Sirajuddin Jogibettu, and their team, represented Mahesh Shetty and other activists. They argued that the SIT’s report was premature and lacked sufficient grounds for prosecution. The court upheld this argument, emphasizing that it is not within the court’s mandate to set a deadline for the SIT but directed the officials to continue their investigation diligently. On the other side, senior advocate Rajashekara Hiliyar represented the interests of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala, and the Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) argued on behalf of the SIT.

Upcoming Hearings and Objections
The court has also taken up an application filed by Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala, seeking to be heard as an affected party in the case. Senior advocate Dore Raju has filed an objection to this plea. The government counsel representing the SIT has requested time to review these objections. Consequently, the court has adjourned the hearing on these specific matters to January 23. The legal battle remains intense as both sides await the SIT’s final submission, which will determine the future course of this long-standing legal struggle.