Bengaluru/Mangaluru, 21 Aug

BJP MLA G Janardhana Reddy has launched a fresh salvo against Congress MP from Tamil Nadu's Thiruvallur, Sasikanth Senthil, accusing him of being the "mastermind" behind the "propaganda" being spread against the temple town of Dharmasthala in Dakshina Kannada district.

He challenged Senthil, a former IAS officer of the Karnataka cadre, to face an inquiry if he had no connection with the "mass burial" propaganda being spread.

The Karnataka government had formed a Special Investigation Team after allegations of multiple murders, rapes, and illegal burials in Dharmasthala over the past two decades emerged.

The complainant, a former sanitation worker whose identity has not been disclosed, claimed that he was employed in Dharmasthala between 1995 and 2014. He alleged that he was forced to bury several bodies-including those of women and minors, some of which bore signs of sexual assault.

According to Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara, bones and skeletons were found at two locations, and the police are waiting for the forensic report.

Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, Reddy claimed that Senthil is the "mastermind behind the propaganda to tarnish Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swamy by YouTubers, social media users, a masked man and now Sujata Bhat".

"Senthil is anti-Hindu. At the time of resigning from the job as the Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district, he had opposed the Citizenship Amendment Act, abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution and the National Register of Citizens," the BJP leader said. 

YouTuber granted anticipatory bail

The Mangaluru District Sessions Court has granted anticipatory bail to YouTuber MD Sameer, accused of spreading misinformation via an AI-generated video on Dharmasthala. Police had filed a Suo Motu case, alleging the video incited unrest. Sameer, who ignored police summons, sought protection from arrest on August 19. The court has now allowed his plea, shielding him from immediate custody.