BJP MP Kota Srinivas Poojary has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking an Enforcement Directorate investigation into money laundering in connection with YouTubers spreading misinformation to defame Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swamy Temple.
Poojary alleged that the YouTubers spreading misinformation received funds from different sources, including overseas.
This comes as Veerendra Heggade, the Dharmadhikari of Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala, has slammed the allegations regarding the multiple rapes, murders, and burials in the temple town in the past 20 years, claiming they are "baseless and false".
YouTuber's AI video flagged
In July, Kannada YouTuber Sameer MD was booked for allegedly spreading misinformation through an AI-generated video on the secret burial case. He was slapped with Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 192, 240, and 353(1)(b) for wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause a riot and giving false information regarding an offence.
In a video, he discussed the claimes levelled by a former sanitation worker, who alleged that he was forced to secretly bury sexual assault victims in the forests surrounding Dharmasthala. However, police said the YouTuber fabricated and unverified details that was not present in the official complaint or the sworn statement from the whistleblower.
Veerendra Heggade calls for speedy SIT probe
Pointing out that the investigation should conclude and the truth should come out at the earliest, Heggade told PTI that "it is not good that allegations are made and they remain that way."
He was referring to the ongoing probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Siddaramaiah government. SIT chief Pranav Mohanty on Wednesday visited Dharmasthala to meet the officials.
Alleging that there is an "organised campaign" targeting Dharmasthala over the past 14 years, the head of the Dakshina Kannada temple said, "Irked by the good work being done by us, some elements carry out false campaigns but we are unperturbed."