<p>Mangaluru: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Tuesday launched exhumation near the Dharmasthala bathing ghat as part of its probe into the mass burial case. The operation commenced at one of the locations identified by complainant witness in the presence of senior officials and was conducted under tight police security.</p><p>Despite several hours of digging a depth of approximately eight feet and 15 feet width, no human remains were found on day one. A dog squad was deployed before the day's operation was halted, with further exhumation scheduled to continue on Wednesday.</p><p>The exhumation was carried out under the supervision of SIT officials, forensic experts, with Puttur Assistant Commissioner Stella Varghese monitoring the process at the site. Prior to the field operation, a high-level meeting was held at the SIT office in Belthangady under the leadership of DIG MN Anucheth to chalk out the plan of action.</p>.Dharmasthala case | Complainant witness taken to alleged spot where bodies were buried.<p>By 12 noon, SIT officers, along with a forensic team and Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO), reached the site with over 10 labourers equipped with pickaxes and shovels. The complainant witness covering his face, was also present along with a team of advocates. </p><p>The initial round of manual excavation lasted over two hours and went about three feet deep. However, the process soon hit a roadblock as groundwater began seeping into the pit due to the site's proximity—just 10 metres—from the Netravathi River. This made further manual digging difficult.</p><p>Following an on-site assessment by DIG Anucheth later in the day, it was decided to use a mini earthmover to assist with deeper excavation. The digging resumed with the help of machinery and continued until around 6 pm. Before halting exhumation, the pit that was dug was later closed. Prior to it, the team of advocates who had arrived at the spot along with the complainant-witness was also called in, and their consent was obtained to halt the process, according to SIT sources.</p><p>"Digging the area, which is covered with shrubs and weeds, in the midst of continuous rainfall was truly a challenging task. The spot, located close to the Nethravathi River, had sand mixed with soil. In between, a few pieces of cloth were found," said sources. </p><p>SIT officials including SPs Jitendra Kumar Dayama, Simon C A, Belthangady Tahsildar Prithvi Sanikam were present at the site. The entire operation was video recorded for documentation.</p><p>To ensure security, teams from the Garuda Force, Special Action Force, and Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) were deployed in the area. </p><p>“We have dug only one of the spots pointed out by the complainant-witness. The other spot he identified will be dug on Wednesday. This process will continue,” said sources.</p><p>On Monday, the complainant witness guided the team to 13 different locations in and around the Netravathi river bank and adjoining forest area. These spots were geo-tagged, marked with serial numbers, and cordoned off with barrier tapes. Armed police remained stationed overnight to secure the areas.</p>
<p>Mangaluru: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Tuesday launched exhumation near the Dharmasthala bathing ghat as part of its probe into the mass burial case. The operation commenced at one of the locations identified by complainant witness in the presence of senior officials and was conducted under tight police security.</p><p>Despite several hours of digging a depth of approximately eight feet and 15 feet width, no human remains were found on day one. A dog squad was deployed before the day's operation was halted, with further exhumation scheduled to continue on Wednesday.</p><p>The exhumation was carried out under the supervision of SIT officials, forensic experts, with Puttur Assistant Commissioner Stella Varghese monitoring the process at the site. Prior to the field operation, a high-level meeting was held at the SIT office in Belthangady under the leadership of DIG MN Anucheth to chalk out the plan of action.</p>.Dharmasthala case | Complainant witness taken to alleged spot where bodies were buried.<p>By 12 noon, SIT officers, along with a forensic team and Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO), reached the site with over 10 labourers equipped with pickaxes and shovels. The complainant witness covering his face, was also present along with a team of advocates. </p><p>The initial round of manual excavation lasted over two hours and went about three feet deep. However, the process soon hit a roadblock as groundwater began seeping into the pit due to the site's proximity—just 10 metres—from the Netravathi River. This made further manual digging difficult.</p><p>Following an on-site assessment by DIG Anucheth later in the day, it was decided to use a mini earthmover to assist with deeper excavation. The digging resumed with the help of machinery and continued until around 6 pm. Before halting exhumation, the pit that was dug was later closed. Prior to it, the team of advocates who had arrived at the spot along with the complainant-witness was also called in, and their consent was obtained to halt the process, according to SIT sources.</p><p>"Digging the area, which is covered with shrubs and weeds, in the midst of continuous rainfall was truly a challenging task. The spot, located close to the Nethravathi River, had sand mixed with soil. In between, a few pieces of cloth were found," said sources. </p><p>SIT officials including SPs Jitendra Kumar Dayama, Simon C A, Belthangady Tahsildar Prithvi Sanikam were present at the site. The entire operation was video recorded for documentation.</p><p>To ensure security, teams from the Garuda Force, Special Action Force, and Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) were deployed in the area. </p><p>“We have dug only one of the spots pointed out by the complainant-witness. The other spot he identified will be dug on Wednesday. This process will continue,” said sources.</p><p>On Monday, the complainant witness guided the team to 13 different locations in and around the Netravathi river bank and adjoining forest area. These spots were geo-tagged, marked with serial numbers, and cordoned off with barrier tapes. Armed police remained stationed overnight to secure the areas.</p>