Dharmasthala Mass Burial Case: Karnataka HC Stays Any Coercive Action Against Advocate
Advocate Manjunath N, representing complainant Sujatha Bhat whose daughter allegedly went missing in 2003, had been summoned by the Police after issuing a press release on the investigation
The Karnataka High Court has kept in abeyance the police summons issued to Adv. Manjunath N in the Dharmasthala case
The Karnataka High Court has stayed the summons issued to an advocate linked to the Dharmasthala mass burial case, holding that no coercive steps should be taken against him until further hearing.
Advocate Manjunath N approached the High Court to quash the FIR dated August 22, 2025, at Belthangady Police Station, registered under Sections 353(1)(B) and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. He also sought an interim stay on the operation of the same FIR during the pendency of proceedings.
Moreover, he sought directions restraining the police and authorities from taking coercive steps such as arrest, detention, interrogation, seizure of documents, or search of premises under the impugned FIR.
He argued that the FIR was misconceived, legally untenable, and violative of fundamental rights.
Advocate Manjunath N represents Sujatha Bhat in the Dharmasthala mass burial case, who had claimed that her daughter went missing in 2003 at Dharmasthala. The advocate was summoned through a police notice dated September 1, 2025, after he issued a press release referring to alleged burial sites and the progress of the investigation in the case.
Granting interim relief to the advocate, court directed that the summons be kept in abeyance, making clear that the issue touches upon the larger principle of lawyer-client privilege.
Case Title: Manjunath N Vs. State of Karnataka & Anr
Order Date: September 4, 2025
Bench: Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum