JDS Demands NIA Probe into Deep-Seated Conspiracy to Tarnish Dharmasthala's Image

The Janata Dal (Secular) has ignited a political firestorm, emphatically demanding a thorough investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into what it describes as a monumental, meticulously planned conspiracy aimed at destroying the pristine reputation of Dharmasthala and its revered Dharmadhikari, Dr.

D. Veerendra Heggade. This urgent call stems from persistent allegations and a sustained campaign to malign the sacred temple town, particularly in the shadow of the 2012 Soujanya murder case.

Addressing a press conference in Mangaluru, JDS State General Secretary B.M. Farooq did not mince words, asserting that this insidious plot extends far beyond the borders of Karnataka, carrying national implications.

He pointedly linked the targeting of Dr. Heggade to his recent nomination to the Rajya Sabha, suggesting a calculated attempt to undermine his public standing and influence. Farooq characterized the ongoing campaign as nothing short of an 'organized crime,' reminiscent of 'mafia-type operations' that cunningly leverage social media influencers and orchestrated fund transfers to disseminate misinformation and slander.

He even hinted at the unsettling involvement of foreign funds fueling this malicious agenda.

A central tenet of the JDS's demand is the perplexing failure of state and central investigative agencies to uncover the alleged conspiracy and its shadowy masterminds. Farooq raised critical questions, challenging why previous investigations conducted by the CID and subsequently the CBI, particularly into the Soujanya murder case, did not thoroughly probe the conspiracy angle.

He highlighted that while the CBI investigated the murder itself, ultimately leading to the acquittal of the lone accused, Santhosh Rao, by a special court in June 2023 (an acquittal later upheld by the Karnataka High Court), the larger web of intrigue remained unaddressed.

The Soujanya case, involving the tragic rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl, Soujanya, in Ujire in 2012, has remained a sensitive and emotionally charged issue.

Following the acquittal, a renewed wave of public outcry and protests erupted, demanding justice for Soujanya and a fresh investigation. Disturbingly, some segments of these protests began to implicate Dr. Heggade's family, further fueling the JDS's belief in a targeted smear campaign.

The demand for an NIA probe has received strong backing from former Chief Minister and senior JDS leader H.D.

Kumaraswamy, who previously wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, emphasizing the critical need to protect innocent individuals from being unjustly targeted by such machinations. Farooq also critically scrutinized both the BJP and Congress governments, who have been in power since 2012, implying a potential lack of resolve or even complicity in failing to unearth the truth behind the alleged conspiracy.

The JDS remains resolute in its stance that only a comprehensive NIA investigation can truly expose the truth, safeguard the sanctity of Dharmasthala, and protect the esteemed reputation of Dr. Heggade from what they perceive as a dark, politically motivated plot.