Dharmasthala mass burial: Skeletal remains traced inside forest

Mangaluru: On the sixth day of the exhumation process, officials from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) traced skeletal remains on Monday in the forest area near the Netravati bathing ghat, within the Dharmasthala police station limits.

“The remains were found about 20 meters away from the 11th site earlier identified by the complainant witness. It is yet to be confirmed whether the remains belong to one or two individuals, or their gender. Only a thorough forensic examination will provide clarity,” said SIT sources.

“The skeletal parts recovered suggest they may belong to two individuals. A long spinal bone was also found. The forensic science team has collected the remains scientifically. Pieces of a saree were found at the site,” the sources added.

The SIT team entered the forest at around 11.30 am. Unlike in previous operations, where a lunch break was taken around 2 pm, the team continued its search uninterrupted and exited the forest only after 6.15 pm.

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 nearby location instead. About 20 labourers were deployed for the day’s operation. A mini earthmover was brought to the site but was not used inside the forest. 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 at the spot.

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.