Dharmasthala case: What Are the women’s commission’s demands to the government?

The Karnataka government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe a series of unnatural deaths and disappearances, reported in and around Dharmasthala over the past two decades. This development follows a strong plea by Dr. Nagalakshmi Chowdhary, Chairperson of the Karnataka State Women’s Commission, who wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on July 14, urging an impartial and comprehensive investigation.

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Responding to the letter, the government officially formed the SIT on July 19, with a mandate to examine long-pending and often-overlooked cases involving women and girl students that allegedly include various crimes.

The Women’s Commission cited serious concerns about how many families have long complained of their daughters going missing, and how local police stations reportedly failed to act adequately or respond sensitively to complaints over the years.

Reportedly, multiple cases from the past 20 years, ranging from mysterious deaths to unsolved disappearances have taken place in the Dharmasthala region and its surroundings. Several incidents allegedly involve female students and young women, with families continuing to seek justice.

Dr. Nagalakshmi emphasized that if the allegations prove true, strict legal action must be taken against those found guilty. She also stated that this investigation must act as a deterrent to those who play with innocent lives, and most importantly, that it should contribute toward building a safe and fear-free environment where no girl or woman has to face injustice again.

The commission has made it clear that justice must be delivered not just for closure, but to send a strong message and restore public trust in the system.