Skeleton find: Fear & shock leave Bengaluru apartment residents tongue-tied

Bengaluru: The discovery of a human skull and bones inside a percolation pit at MN Credence Flora apartments in New Mico Layout, Begur, has left residents shocked.

There was an air of reluctance and fear when a DH reporter visited the spot. Residents appeared agitated and hesitant to reveal any information.

Police officials said that the discovery was made on Monday at one of the 16 pits next to the parking lot while a cleanup was underway.

The skeletal remains were found inside a rainwater harvesting chamber blocked by silt and debris, which locals described as a spot where "water remained there whenever it rained".

An 'istri wallah' (ironing man) in the vicinity recalled hearing about the incident and seeing an ambulance at the scene on Monday night. "After the skeletal remains were found, I have not gone to the apartment because I do not want to get involved and dragged into unnecessary complications. I do not mind losing business, and I would like to stay away from this." 

Shankar, a local resident, stated that he saw police personnel visit the spot and take the remains for further examination. They identified it as a male. "They had kept the skeletal remains outside the pit," he added.

Another resident, who has been living in the apartment for over seven years and did not wish to be named, said, "We do not want this incident to tarnish the image of the apartment. There have been people who have been in this apartment from the beginning, and we do not want them to feel like this is a bad omen."

A vegetable vendor, whose stall is opposite the apartment complex, said that tenants said about six years ago, during the apartment's construction, a worker may have slipped and died there.

Police are investigating the case.