Dharmasthala mass burials: PAN, debit cards were found on Day 1, say sources

Mangaluru: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) which resumed exhumation on Wednesday as part of the probe into the alleged mass burials in Dharmasthala, said no human remains were found but SIT sources said a PAN card and Rupay debit card were unearthed during Tuesday’s digging.

As digging at four sites in the forest identified by complainant-witness near the bathing ghat on the banks of Netravathy resumed, sources in the SIT said, “No human remains were found at the four sites despite digging up to a depth of six feet. But during exhumation on Tuesday, we found a PAN card with the name of a male and a Rupay debit card with a woman’s name at the site close to the bathing ghat.”

“The items we have recovered need not necessarily belong to the people who were supposedly buried there. It may not have anything to do with them. The place is heavily infested with leeches and snakes, the ANF personnel are working under very risky conditions. We will have to widen our search,” sources said.

The complainant-witness in all had identified 12 sites inside the forest and another site close to the check dam across Netravathy river.By Wednesday, the SIT had completed digging at five sites identified inside the forest by complainant-witness who was present along with his advocates. Digging will resume on Thursday.

caption: SIT head and Director General of Police (Internal Security Division) Pranav Mohanty who stepped out of the forest after inspecting the exhumation process being mobbed by journalists near the bathing ghat in Dharmasthala on Wednesday. DH photo/Fakruddin H

As the sites were located deep in the forest, the SIT had to abandon the use of earth movers and was forced to resort to manual digging using shovels and pickaxes with the help of 20 labourers.

SIT members make a beeline to the sites on the bank of Netravathy river to begin exhumation process in Dharmasthala on Wednesday. DH photo/by Fakruddin H

The SIT, accompanied by complainant-witness entered the forest around 11.15 am. By afternoon, the digging was completed at two sites. Post lunch the digging at two more sites resumed. 

Hundreds of curious onlookers take vantage positions on the bridge in order to watch the exhumation process as part of SIT

SIT head and Director General of Police (Internal Security Division) Pronab Mohanty,  Deputy Inspector General of Police, (Recruitment) M N Anucheth and superintendent of police (Internal Security Division) Jitendra Kumar Dayama visited the forest to witness the progress of exhumation. Puttur assistant commissioner Stella Varghese was also present.

The complainant-witness being escorted to the waiting vehicle after the end of exhumation at five sites near the bathing ghat in Dharmasthala on Wednesday. DH photo/by Fakruddin H

Meanwhile, the SIT opened its second office at the Inspection Bungalow in Mallikatte. A press release stated that those keen to meet the SIT members can visit the SIT office between 10 am and 5 pm. Those keen on sharing information can contact the SIT office (0824-2005301) or on whatsapp at 8277986369 or via email: [e-mail]