Dharmasthala exhumation: 100 bones, skull found on 6th day

Mangaluru: Around 100 bones and a skull were among the human remains found on Monday during exhumation in connection to the alleged Dharmasthala mass burials case.

These remains were found on the sixth day of the exhumation process in the forest area near the Netravati bathing ghat in Dharmasthala police station limits.

“The skeletal remains were found on the surface about 100 metres away from the 11th site shown by the complainant-witness. Around 100 bones, including a skull and spinal bones, were recovered,” SIT sources said.

“The skeletal parts recovered suggest they may belong to two individuals. A long spinal column was also found. The expert team has collected it scientifically. A knotted saree was also found at the same location,” said SIT sources.

The sari was tied at a height of six feet on the tree, SIT sources said.

The SIT team entered the forest around 11.30 am and continued its search uninterrupted till 6.15 pm, even skipping the lunch break. 

The skeletal remains were sealed in three buckets and two PVC pipes before being transported out of the forest.

The complainant-witness had earlier identified 13 possible burial sites near the Dharmasthala bathing ghat and inside the forest. Of these, 10 have been excavated so far in sequence.

Although the 11th site was scheduled to be dug on Monday, the complainant-witness requested excavation at a different location nearby instead.

About 20 labourers were deployed for the day’s operation. Though a mini earthmover was brought to the site, it was not used in the forest.

Shortly after the team entered inside the forest, two sacks of salt were brought in. Four commandos were also deployed by SIT officials to secure the area.

Puttur assistant commissioner Stella Varghese and SIT superintendent of police Jitendra Kumar Dayama were present.

On July 31, skeletal remains of a male were discovered at the sixth site identified by the complainant-witness. However, no human remains were found at the other nine sites that had been previously dug.

Man files plaint with Dharmasthala Police

A complaint has been filed at the Dharmasthala police station by Jayant T, citing the suspicious death of a girl, aged around 13 to 15 years, that occurred nearly 15 years ago in Dharmasthala village. Jayant stated that the girl's body was buried without a post-mortem, and no FIR was registered at the time.

A resident of Ichlampady, Jayant initially approached the SIT office in Belthangady with details of the alleged incident. After reviewing the complaint, SIT officials directed him to lodge a formal complaint with the Dharmasthala police. Dakshina Kannada SP Dr Arun K confirmed that the complaint was received on Monday, and further action will follow.

“I respect the law of the land. Four to five people who witnessed the burial of the girl 15 years ago are prepared to testify during the investigation,” Jayant said.

He clarified that his complaint is not directed at any individual or temple. “My intention is only to highlight that police officials erred back then, and appropriate action should be taken.”

Jayant, an RTI activist, has been actively involved in the fight for justice in the Sowjanya murder case. “Since 2015, I have been fighting for a corruption-free society. I am not against any individual, nor do I support anyone. I am not anti-temple, nor a communist. In fact, we worship two deities at home and have built a temple on our land. I have compiled crucial documents related to the Sowjanya case using the RTI Act,” he added.