Activist Files Harassment Complaint Against SIT Officers in Temple Town Probe

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A prominent activist in the temple town of Dharmasthala has leveled serious allegations against Special Investigation Team (SIT) officers, accusing them of physical and mental torture. Jayant T, who has been associated with campaigns for justice in the 2012 Sowjanya murder case, filed a complaint with the Belthangady police station on Saturday. According to the complaint, Jayant was summoned for inquiry and allegedly subjected to violence inside the SIT office. He named five officers in his complaint, including Jitendra Dayama, SP Simon, DySP R G Manjunath, Inspector Manjunath Gowda, and Sub Inspector Gunapal. Jayant claimed that the officers threatened him, exerted pressure to give false statements, and brought his fellow complainant Chinnayya into the room where they were allegedly assaulted. The complaint also alleges that Jayant was kept in custody late into the night without food or water and subjected to physical, mental, and emotional torture. His wife and daughter were allegedly summoned for inquiry, and statements were taken from them against their will. Jayant sought medical treatment for injuries sustained during the alleged assault. Jayant further alleged that no voluntary statement was taken from him, and SIT officials typed out their own version while continuing to summon him daily to the office. He claimed that the threats intensified when he refused to sign false testimony and that he was warned of imprisonment and harassment of those associated with him. The activist has requested legal action against the named officers under several sections of the law, including assault, intimidation, and conspiracy. He has also sought protection for himself and his family, citing the possibility of harm if he is not protected. The allegations come after the state high court lifted an interim stay on the SIT investigation into the case, allowing the inquiry to resume. The court extended interim protection to the accused, directing the SIT not to harass them. The SIT will now continue its investigation, which has been ongoing since the FIR was filed in October 2025.