The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the chilling allegations of mass illegal burials in Dharmasthala has made a significant breakthrough, recovering multiple skeletal remains from a newly identified site in Banglegudde, according to police sources.
Acting on a tip-off from an anonymous whistleblower, the SIT redirected its operations from the previously designated 11th site to Banglegudde — a remote ridge approximately 100 feet above the surrounding area. Human bones, including skulls, have already been recovered from the site, raising serious concerns about the scale and nature of the alleged crimes.
The SIT is investigating grave allegations of mass murder, sexual assault, and illegal burials said to have occurred between 1995 and 2014. While many records from that time were reportedly missing or tampered with at the Belthangady police station, Director General of Police Pranab Mohanty, who leads the SIT, implemented immediate measures to secure crucial evidence, including Unnatural Death Reports (UDRs).
The exhumed remains have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for detailed examination to determine age, sex, and cause of death. Similar forensic testing is already underway on remains recovered from Site No. 6 during earlier operations.
Previous efforts to gather evidence from four other locations — Sites 7 to 10 — were inconclusive, making the Banglegudde discovery especially critical. Officials reported minor injuries to personnel due to the difficult terrain at the new site but confirmed that operations are continuing under tight secrecy and are evolving based on emerging leads.
The investigation, one of the largest forensic inquiries in Karnataka’s history, was launched following a shocking complaint from a former sanitation worker. His confidential testimony, recorded before a magistrate, claims he was coerced into burying numerous bodies, many allegedly showing signs of sexual abuse.
The SIT has urged citizens who previously filed complaints or possess information relevant to the case to come forward and cooperate. Authorities emphasize that recovering and identifying as many of the deceased as possible is essential to uncovering the truth behind the decades-long allegations.
