Mangalore, Nov 2: Reacting to the allegations against Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala Dr D Veerendra Heggade and his family in connection with the rape and murder case of Soujanya that took place a year ago in Belthangady taluk, Principal of SDM Law College, Mangalore Dr B K Ravindra stated that the educational institution would file civil and criminal lawsuits against the persons who were “deliberately” trying to malign the name of Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala and its head.
Addressing reporters at a press conference here on Friday, he said that the allegations aimed at the Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade and his family were unfair and malicious in nature, and amounted to defamation which was both a civil and criminal offence.
Although it is clear beyond reasonable doubt from the CID report in the Soujanya case that Dr Veerendra Heggade and his family are not connected to the heinous crime, allegations made by few individuals based merely on their suspicions amount to violation of law. The institution will take action in a legal way along with supportive proof and documents and file civil and criminal lawsuits against the persons responsible for this, he said.
Voicing his reaction to the allegations on behalf of the student community of institutions under SDM Educational Society, he said that they would respond to these allegations legally and intellectually.
“Since it appears that certain organisations are not satisfied with the outcome of the CID investigation, we are ready to fight and expose ourselves to further investigation. We even support a CBI probe in the case, he said.
Pointing fingers at Hindu leader Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi and Somnath Nayak of Nagarika Seva Trust for making unfounded assertions against the Dharmadhikari and trying to mislead the people, he opined that this was being done unnecessarily only to malign the character of Dr Veerendra Hegde, which had to be stopped.
He said that in this regard, he had written a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police.
He added that the lawsuits would be filed against Mr Thimarodi and Mr Nayak after obtaining legal advice from the prominent alumni of the institution.
Speaking on the occasion, Director of SDM College of Business Management Devaraj K said that the allegations had deeply hurt the sentiments of the student and teaching community of the educational institution.
“It is not right to put the blame on the Kshetra if any untoward incidents occur in nearby Belthangady village. It is also unfair to accuse three young men of being responsible for the rape and murder of the young girl, as it will affect their reputation and future,” he said, adding that it would be hard for the young men to recover from the stigma if they were proved innocent.

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