In a major development in the mass burial investigation in Karnataka’s Dharmasthala, partial skeletal remains have been uncovered at site number six. This marks the first confirmed recovery of human remains since excavation began on July 29, under the direction of the Special Investigation Team (SIT).
The remains, suspected to belong to a male, were recovered at spot number 6, near the banks of the Nethravathi River.
What do we know about the investigation?
Forensic teams were quick to reach the site and are currently in the process of carefully collecting the remains. However, immediate dispatch to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has been delayed. Officials indicate that remains from this and other upcoming sites may be sent together for analysis, as further excavations are planned in the surrounding areas.
Though the skeletal fragments did not include a skull, scene-of-crime officers and forensic scientists seized and catalogued the bones meticulously. Assistant Commissioner of Puttur sub-division, Stella Verghese, was present on site to oversee the process.
What did the whistleblower say?
The investigation was launched following a shocking testimony by a 50-year-old former sanitation worker who alleged that he was forced to bury over 100 bodies between 1995 and 2014. Many of these, he claimed, were women and minors who appeared to have been sexually assaulted. On July 28, he guided the SIT to 13 burial spots around the temple town, including the now-revealed site number six.
The original complaint was filed on July 3, with the SIT being formally tasked shortly thereafter. The complainant’s identity has been withheld for safety, but his testimony has led to one of the most unsettling probes in recent memory. The SIT now faces the challenging task of confirming the identity of the remains, verifying the broader claims of mass burial, and potentially uncovering further bodies hidden across Dharmasthala.
Excavations on five other sites yielded no skeletal remains, though authorities did recover a debit card and a PAN card from the first location. Officials are currently trying to trace the individuals connected to these identity documents.
The recovery on July 31 came on the third day of excavation, which had been slowed due to persistent rainfall. Most of the sites are located along or near the riverbanks, complicating efforts to dig deeper. Authorities say excavations at the first few sites only reached a depth of three to six feet.
Despite the weather, the SIT plans to proceed with digs at the remaining locations identified by the whistleblower. Officials say the skeletal discovery at site six lends weight to his claims and warrants further intensive investigation.