Mangaluru: The Dakshina Kannada district administration has issued an externment order against activist Mahesh Shetty Thimarody, barring him from the district for one year. The order directs him to relocate to Raichur district immediately and prohibits him from entering Dakshina Kannada unless summoned by police or court. Authorities cited concerns that Thimarody’s presence was obstructing the ongoing investigation into the politically sensitive Dharmasthala episode.
The move follows a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe, which reportedly uncovered a money trail involving Thimarody’s associates and recovered a dagger and firearm from his residence. Officials stressed that the externment was issued under existing procedures to prevent interference in sensitive inquiries. Legal representation for the police was provided by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Bantwal, while Thimarody was defended by his counsel.
The Dharmasthala controversy began in 2012 with the suspicious death of a youth near the temple, sparking protests and allegations of cover-ups by authorities. Over the years, the case expanded to include claims of financial irregularities and misuse of power. Activists, including Thimarody, have remained vocal critics, demanding accountability and transparency.
Authorities argue that Thimarody’s interventions were hindering the SIT’s mandate for an impartial probe, prompting the externment. Officials described the step as preventive, aimed at shielding the investigation from influence or disruption.
Though the externment takes immediate effect, Thimarody has legal options to challenge it before the government or High Court. Supporters claim the move seeks to suppress dissent, while police maintain it safeguards the investigation. More than a decade after it first erupted, the Dharmasthala episode continues to stir public debate and political discourse in Dakshina Kannada.
