Mangaluru: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged Dharmasthala mass burial case conducted a search operation at a site near the road leading to Bahuballi Betta on Saturday. The team is focusing on locations other than the sites reportedly identified and marked last week based on the statements of the complainant witness.The SIT, accompanied by the complainant witness and other officials, cordoned off the search area with tapes and a green shade net before commencing operations. An earthmover was also deployed at the site. SP Jitendra Kumar Dayama, Puttur assistant commissioner Stella Varghese, and scene of crime officials (SoCO) as well as labourers were present.Earlier in the day, it was expected that the SIT would conduct further searches at a site in Boliyar that was searched on Friday. This followed the complainant witness’s claim in his complaint that the body of a school-going girl, aged about 10–15, dressed in a uniform and carrying a school bag, was disposed of at that location. On Friday too, the SIT found no human remains.Meanwhile, as the search operation was in progress, advocate Manjunath N alleged a conspiracy to obstruct the investigation through deliberate soil dumping at Bahubali Hill forest Area. He stated that excavation work commenced in the forest area at the foothills of Bahubali Hills. However, to prevent any evidence from being discovered, vested interests have recently dumped approximately 10ft of fresh soil and debris across this forest area. With dozens of feet of fresh soil now accumulated, excavating even seven feet deep may not reveal buried skeletal remains, he alleged.It may be recalled that the SIT began exhumation in connection with allegations of mass burials on July 29. |
