The Dharmasthala truth: As Karnataka SIT digs deeper, more skeletons tumble out; here’s what we know so far | Mangaluru News

NEW DELHI: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Friday began searches at a seventh location in Dharmasthala, Karnataka, as part of its seventh day of exhumation operations.

Here’s what we know so far:

Skeletal remains recovered at suspected burial siteSIT probing allegations of mass burials in Dharmasthala has unearthed partial skeletal remains—suspected to be of a man—at one of 13 alleged burial sites identified by a former sanitation worker.The remains, found in a forested area near the Netravathi river, include 15 bones. No skull was recovered. A forensic doctor at the site offered a preliminary opinion that the bones were of a male individual, though final confirmation will follow detailed forensic analysis.

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“Forensic doctors and the scene-of-crime officers seized the body parts after noting down the details, including the location and the way the parts were found,” an SIT official said.Recovered documents under verificationThe SIT had previously recovered a PAN card and a RuPay debit card from one of the burial sites. The PAN card was traced to a man from Nelamangala in Bengaluru Rural district, who reportedly died of jaundice and was cremated in his village. “The deceased was an alcoholic,” an SIT official said, adding he may have lost the card during a visit to Dharmasthala.The bank is yet to provide details linked to the debit card, and cross-verification of the woman’s identity is under way.Complainant alleges over 100 secret burialsThe complainant, a former sanitation worker, alleges he was coerced to bury over 100 bodies—mostly of women and minors over a span of nearly two decades. He led the SIT to 13 suspected burial locations near the bathing ghat. Exhumation operations were launched based on these inputs.The skeletal remains were found about four feet underground. The digging was conducted using equipment including a mini-earthmover, water pump, pipes and rain covers and was supported by a dog squad.

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The area was later cordoned off under tight security.SIT investigation expandsInvestigation efforts have been intensified with the inclusion of additional senior officers. The SIT is continuing to examine the remaining burial sites under the supervision of SP Jitendra Kumar Dayama and others.Advocate Manjunath N, representing Sujatha Bhat—the mother of missing medical student Ananya Bhat—issued a brief statement: “Satyameva Jayate.”The SIT has opened a dedicated office at the IB in Mallikatte, Mangaluru, where members of the public can share information. A helpline has also been made operational: 0824-2005301, 8277986369; email: sitdps@ksp.gov.in.Anonymous complaint led to investigationThe investigation stems from a complaint filed by a man who claims he was forced to dispose of multiple dead bodies over several years. In his written complaint, he stated that he had recently returned to one of the burial sites and exhumed skeletal remains, photographs of which were submitted to the authorities. Police have withheld his personal details at his request for anonymity, and he has sought legal protection.The complainant has offered to identify those responsible and to reveal more burial sites. Police confirmed that photocopies of two photographs, showing a skull and skeletal remains, were submitted. His lawyer stated that sketches of the deceased would be submitted to court at a later stage.Police have yet to verify the authenticity of the skeletal remains or determine the number of victims. The complainant, who worked in Dharmasthala from 1995 to 2014, claims he was forced to dispose of bodies linked to acts of crime. Fearing for his safety, he has since fled the town with his family and is living in a neighbouring state under a concealed identity.SP confirms complainant willing to assistIn a public statement, Dakshina Kannada SP Dr Arun K said, “The complainant has claimed he had secretly disposed of the bodies of those killed due to criminal activities. Now, burdened with guilt, he has expressed his willingness to reveal full details of those involved in the crimes and the locations where the bodies were buried, provided he and his family get legal protection.”Women’s rights body urges wider investigationThe Dakshina Kannada district convention of the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) passed a resolution urging the government to ensure a fair SIT probe. The forum demanded that unnatural deaths of Padmalatha, Vedavalli, Sowjanya, Yamuna, and other women reported in Dharmasthala also be brought under the SIT’s ambit. The case drew national attention after the complainant appeared in Belthangady court to record his statement. The state government constituted the SIT, appointing officers known for their professionalism.However, AIDWA expressed concern about whether the investigation would remain free from political interference.“The state govt must address these concerns, provide SIT full autonomy, and ensure fair investigation. Maximum security should be provided to the witness-complainant and his lawyers. The investigation should not be limited to the allegations of buried bodies, but should also cover cases like the 1980s abduction and murder of student Padmalatha, the Soujanya case, and the 2012 murder of elephant mahout Narayana and his sister Yamuna,” the AIDWA resolutio n stated. The resolution was passed unanimously.The conference also called for stricter enforcement of laws to prevent atrocities against women. The event was inaugurated by writer and professor Sabitha Bannadi. Veteran poet Chandrakala Nandavara, AIDWA state secretary Devi Mandya, reception committee president Flavy Crasta, and others were present.Urged a thorough SIT probe into alleged abuse, murders, rapesIn a letter, the Karnataka State Commission for Women referred to the complainant’s court statement and news reports about a skull and other remains. It urged a thorough SIT probe into alleged abuse, murders, rapes, unnatural deaths, and missing cases of women and girl students reported over the last two decades.The government has instructed that all criminal cases related to the matter—reported or anticipated—in police stations across Karnataka be transferred to the SIT. The team will use available resources at the Dakshina Kannada district police office and provide real-time updates to the Director General and Inspector General of Police. A comprehensive report is to be submitted to the government through the DG & IGP.