The ‘Dharmasthala Files’: Activists Demand Public Release of SIT Report as 74 Unnatural Deaths Haunt Karnataka

Bengaluru – More than three years after a judicial probe was ordered into a string of unexplained deaths in and around Dharmasthala, a coalition of civil society groups and legal activists has accused successive Karnataka governments of a “systemic failure” in delivering justice. At a press conference here on Saturday, the Kondavaru Yaaru? (Who Killed Them?) campaign demanded the immediate release of the Special Investigation Team’s progress report, likening the unresolved cases to global scandals of institutional cover-up.

A Long Shadow of Unanswered Questions

The campaign, which brings together women’s collectives, legal forums, and rights organizations, released an open letter expressing solidarity with Kusumavathi, mother of Soujanya—one of the victims whose death remains shrouded in mystery. The letter calls for transparency and accountability, as the number of recorded unnatural deaths in the region linked to the Dharmasthala religious institution has reached 74.

“There has been a long-standing systemic failure in addressing the atrocities in Dharmasthala. Various agencies—the local police, the Criminal Investigation Department (COD), and even the CBI—have investigated some of these cases, yet all have failed to deliver justice,” said Senior Advocate S. Balan, who is representing Kusumavathi in a Public Interest Litigation before the Karnataka High Court.

Drawing a sharp parallel, Balan added: “This situation is similar to what is referred to as the ‘Epstein files’—one could call these the ‘Dharmasthala files’ or ‘Karnataka files.’ Just as the Epstein case exposed networks of exploitation and abuse, what has happened here also points to deeply disturbing patterns of violence.”

‘Who Killed Them?’ – A Question No Government Has Answered

The activists pointed out that despite an SIT being constituted with police powers, it has yet to register a single case or make any of its findings public. “The government must answer the question: ‘Who killed them?’ From the government of Ramakrishna Hegde to that of Siddaramaiah, no administration has provided answers,” Balan said.

He questioned the efficacy of the current probe: “An SIT has now been formed and given police powers, but why has it not registered even a single case so far? Why has its progress report not been made public?”

Legal Gaps and High Court Scrutiny

Kusumavathi’s PIL, filed in the Karnataka High Court, has exposed glaring investigative lapses. According to the petition, many of the 74 unnatural deaths lack basic legal procedures.

“In many of these cases, there have been no post-mortems, no inquest reports, and in some instances, not even FIRs or proper investigations. Why is this so?” Balan asked. “The High Court has now directed the government to provide complete details of the investigations into these deaths.”

The activists also criticized the state’s reluctance to order a reinvestigation into Soujanya’s death, despite having the legal authority to do so. “Although the state government has the authority to order a reinvestigation in the Soujanya case, why has it not done so? Why should Kusumavathi be forced to approach the Supreme Court for this? Why did earlier governments, including that of Yediyurappa, not order a reinvestigation?” Balan added.

A Call for People’s Movement

Other speakers at the conference included Gowramma from the Janavadi Mahila Sanghatane, Mamatha Yajaman and Madhu Bhushan from the Naaveddhu Nilladiddare platform, Jyothi A. from the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW), and Mallige Sirimane from Mahila Munnade. They collectively asserted that institutional mechanisms alone have failed, and that sustained public pressure is the only path to accountability.

“We are calling this what it is—a systemic failure—and we are questioning it. It is only through sustained people’s movements that justice for Soujanya and other victims can be achieved,” Balan said.

As the High Court awaits the government’s response and the SIT remains silent, the Kondavaru Yaaru? campaign has vowed to keep the pressure alive—demanding that the so-called “Dharmasthala files” no longer remain hidden from public view.