Man files complaint alleging murders, cover-ups in Dharmasthala, writes letter to DK police claiming hidden bodies

Mangaluru: An individual who had earlier expressed willingness - through a team of Bengaluru-based lawyers - to share information regarding alleged heinous crimes in Dharmasthala village has filed a complaint with the Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police and Dharmasthala police.

Dakshina Kannada Police confirmed on Thursday that the complaint has been received saying that an inquiry will be conducted based on it and action will be taken.

The issue first gained attention when a letter from advocates Ojaswi Gowda and Sachin Deshpande, stating that their client intended to approach the Dharmasthala Police Station with information related to crimes in the area, circulated widely on social media.

An individual had said that he had a ‘guilt conscience' and intended to disclose about all heinous crimes that took place in Dharmasthala village, on June 22.

A delegation of lawyers including Ojaswi and Sachin, visited the office of the Dakshina Kannada SP on June 27. However, they were unable to meet SP Dr Arun K as he was not present at the office during their visit.

The individual has submitted a six-page letter to the Superintendent of Police and has alleged a series of brutal murders and systematic cover-ups that took place over several years in Dharmasthala village.

He claimed that he was working as a sanitation worker at the Dharmasthala from 1995 to December 2014 and was forced to secretly dispose of bodies, under threat to his life and that of his family.

In December 2014, fearing for his life, he said he fled Dharmasthala with his family and went into hiding in a neighbouring state.

The complainant stated he recently revisited a site where a body was buried and exhumed, which he claims to have submitted along with photographs.

The complaint alleged influential people were associated behind the killings and the threats issued to him. He has requested witness protection under the Witness Protection Scheme 2018 before disclosing the names and detailed roles of those involved.