Search operations continue near Netravati River; Skeleton from 6th site handed over to forensic team in Manipal
Mangaluru: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Dharmasthala mass cremation case continued its search operations on Friday at two new locations, 7 and 8, but no human remains were recovered. The investigation, launched after explosive allegations by a former civic worker, has taken a serious turn as the SIT seized 19 years’ worth of UDR (Unnatural Death Register) records from the Dharmasthala Gram Panchayat.
The SIT is probing claims of a serial rape and murder case from over a decade ago, where the bodies were allegedly buried in and around Dharmasthala.
No remains found at sites 7 and 8
On Friday morning, the witness-complainant was taken to the seventh location near the Netravati River at around 11:30 AM. SIT officers, along with the help of a Hitachi earthmover, began clearing the dense foliage. Once the topsoil was removed mechanically, laborers carried out a manual excavation. Despite nearly two hours of digging, no human remains were found; only a handkerchief was reportedly discovered.
Post lunch, the team proceeded to the eighth location near the roadside along the riverbank. That search, too, ended without any recovery of skeletal remains. The operations concluded by 5:30 PM.
Mobile phones were prohibited at the dig sites to maintain strict confidentiality, with only essential personnel allowed access.
SIT collects 19 years of UDR records
In a parallel development, the SIT visited the Dharmasthala Gram Panchayat office and seized 19 years of UDR records, covering the years 1995 to 2014. These registers record unnatural or suspicious deaths in the area.
The collected documents are being thoroughly analyzed to track any unreported or misclassified deaths, which could be connected to the buried bodies the complainant has mentioned.
Skeleton from sixth site handed over for forensic testing
Meanwhile, the human remains discovered on Thursday at the sixth location have been handed over to experts from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Manipal. Initial handling was done via a private hospital. The skeletal remains are undergoing detailed scientific analysis, which could provide key evidence in identifying the deceased or understanding the manner of death.
Dharmasthala Skeleton Discovery: Forensic Experts Weigh In on Age and Cause of Death Analysis
Background of the case
The sensational case came to light when a former civic worker alleged that he was made to bury multiple bodies in connection with a serial rape and murder case that occurred in Dharmasthala village more than a decade ago.
A formal case was registered at the Dharmasthala Police Station on July 4, and the SIT was constituted on July 19 to conduct an in-depth investigation.
The public interest in the case is intensifying, with growing demands for accountability and truth, especially if an institutional cover-up is suspected.
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