Karnataka HC Lifts Stay on Dharmasthala SIT Probe and Extends No-Harassment Shield

The bench accepted the state's claim of magistrate clearance, keeping protections in place for activists challenging the FIR.

Overview

Justice Mohammed Nawaz vacated the October 30 interim stay, allowing the Special Investigation Team to resume its inquiry into the Dharmasthala allegations.
The court maintained its direction that investigators must not harass petitioners Girish Mattennavar, Mahesh Thimmarodi, T. Jayanth and Vittal Gowda.
State counsel told the court that the probe has magistrate approval, challenging the petitioners' assertions about procedural lapses.
Prosecutors reported excavations and inspections at about 20 locations after a skull was handed to investigators, a recovery the Home Minister previously acknowledged.
The complainant known as Chinnaiah was later arrested for allegedly providing false information, as the activists continue to seek quashing of the FIR and dispute repeated notices and lengthy questioning.