Dharmasthala ‘mass burials’: SIT quizzes complainant witness

Mangaluru: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has intensified the probe into the Dharmasthala mass burial case on Saturday. The SIT officials summoned the complainant witness to the Belthangady office, where they further inquired him about the allegations made in his complaint and the sites he had pointed out for search operations.

According to SIT sources, skeletal remains traced at the sixth site shown by the complainant witness, as well as about 100 metres away from the 11th site, have been sent to the State Forensic Science Laboratory in Bengaluru, and to the Forensic Department of Kasturba Medical College.

“The investigation into the search operations completed so far will require considerable time to complete. Further searches will be taken up as needed," said sources in SIT.

At present, the SIT is prioritising the investigation into the allegations made by the complainant witness and has not taken up inquiries related to newly filed complaints. Only after the probe into the complainant witness’s allegations reaches a certain stage will the investigation of the remaining complaints begin, SIT sources said.

Lapses in body disposal

Activist Jayanth T who had complained on the burial of a girl aged between 13 to 15, appeared before the SIT team in Belthangady as a part of the investigation on Saturday.

“I had filed a complaint with the SIT on August 4, seeking an investigation into the burial of a girl aged between 13 and 15 years. I have shared information with SIT officials about the incident, including details of those who were present when the act took place. The officials even visited their homes to gather information. On Thursday, they conducted a spot inspection. The site I showed them still needs to be exhumed," said Jayant to mediapersons.

“If my allegations are proven false in the investigation, then they can close the case immediately or take action against me," he said.

He raised questions over the handling of an alleged murder case in Dharmasthala in the year 2010 and claimed that authorities hurried through the burial without a proper investigation.

“On April 6, 2010, according to information obtained under RTI Act, a 35–40-year-old woman was murdered in a lodge in Dharmasthala village. A case was registered under sections for murder and destruction of evidence. However, on the very same day the post-mortem was conducted at Belthangady Government Hospital, the body was handed over to the Dharmasthala Gram Panchayat for burial. Records show that payment was made for this. The reason given was that the identity of the deceased could not be established. But why was no attempt made to identify her? And who closed the murder case so quickly?” he asked.

“I sought information under the RTI Act from Dharmasthala Police Station on the unnatural deaths between 1995 and 2024. They provided details of 160 unnatural deaths in Dharmasthala village. Some bodies were found decomposed; others were discovered near the bus stand, and on roads leading to the hillock. There were also bodies of suicide victims. All these bodies were buried on the same day they were found. Is it correct?"he questioned.

“We are not against any temple or any individual. The person who committed the offence must be punished according to the law. That is why I am fighting,” he clarified.

“A former president of Dharmasthala Gram Panchayat has threatened one of the witnesses and even attempted to assault them. If such things happen, people will be scared to furnish information. Action should be taken against those issuing threats. A complaint has been filed at the local police station,” said Jayanth.