Dharmasthala burial case | SIT recovers skeletal remains during search at Banglegudde forest

Human remains were reportedly found at nine different spots, including six skulls. Cloth pieces were also recovered, and soil samples were collected during the search operation although an official confirmation by SIT is awaited.

Mangaluru/ Udupi: The Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing the mass burial case in Dharmasthala, resumed search operations on Wednesday in the Banglegudde forest area near the Nethravathi bathing ghat. During the operation, skeletal remains were traced at multiple spots and taken into SIT custody.

During the search, human remains were reportedly found at nine different spots, including six skulls. However, SIT has not officially confirmed it. A SIT official said, “It is true that human remains have been found during the search. But the operation is not yet complete and at this stage, we cannot disclose any further details.”

According to sources, mahazar was completed at five spots where skeletal remains were found, and the materials were taken into SIT custody. The inspection at other identified spots will continue on Thursday. Cloth pieces were also recovered, and soil samples were collected during the search operation.

Sources with SIT, however, confirmed to DH, that the skeletal remains found in Banglegudda forest is a part of an independent probe and not connected to previous site or exhumations.

The search operation involved over 40 personnel, including SIT officials, forensic science experts, Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO), forest department staff, revenue officials, and local gram panchayat staff. The team entered the forest around 11.30 am and returned briefly at 2.30 pm for a lunch break, before resuming the search. The operation concluded around 7 pm.

It is learnt that the skeletal remains were carried away by SIT personnel in seven to eight buckets and gunny bags. SIT SPs Jitendra Kumar Dayama and CA Simon were present at the spot.

The skull that the complainant witness handed over to the police was reportedly collected from Banglegudde forest area. Sowjanya's uncle Vittal Gowda had shown the spot to the SIT recently. After which, SIT had conducted a search inside the forest area falling under the Belthangady forest range by taking Vittal Gowda for mahazar. At that time, skeletal remains were allegedly found lying on the surface.

After the mahazar by SIT on September 12, a video of Vittal Gowda claiming to have seen several bodies buried at Banglegudde near Nethravathi bathing ghat had gone viral on social media.

In the video, Vittal Gowda had said "during the first mahazar, I saw three human skeletons. During the second mahazar, I saw a heap of bodies beneath the ground. In total, I have seen five skeletons."

Senior SIT official said "The skeletal remains may be handed over to the local police for further investigation." When contacted, Superintendent of Police Dr Arun told DH that SIT may transfer the evidence to the local police, and the latter could, in turn, refer it back to SIT, since the seizures were based on complainant witness statements recorded by SIT and a mahazar was conducted on the spot.

“The SIT is assigned with the task of exhumation, whereas these remains were found on the surface level. Logically, the local police should carry out the investigation. Both options are open. A final decision will be taken after discussing with senior officers,” Dr Arun added.