Discovered Remains at Sixth Location: The Dharmasthala Mass Burial Incident Takes an Unsettling Twist
The Dharmasthala mass burial case, a shocking revelation of potential institutional silence, rural crimes, and gender-based violence, is currently under investigation in a temple town in Karnataka.
Under the direct orders of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), additional police resources have been committed to support the investigation. The Special Investigation Team (SIT), established for this case, has been working diligently, with the dedication of full-time officers across ranks.
The SIT has so far excavated 10 out of 13 alleged burial sites identified by the complainant. Human remains have been found only in two sites: one partial male skeleton at site number 6, and multiple skeletal fragments including skulls at a newly identified site called Banglegudde, which was not initially listed by the complainant. These remains have been sent for forensic analysis to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to determine age, gender, and possible cause of death.
The SIT resumed exhumations recently after a pause, focusing on sites 11 and 12, but so far no human remains have been found in other sites excavated beyond the two mentioned. The latest recovery includes two bones excavated from a forested area near the sixth marked grave site.
Authorities have ramped up excavation efforts under the watch of top forensic experts, SIT personnel, and local administrative officers. Ongoing engagement with forensic and legal consultants is taking place to ensure a thorough investigation. A dedicated forensic team from the state's FSL is working in parallel to ensure immediate analysis of all finds.
Trained municipal workers are assisting with the scale of the digging, despite intermittent rainfall complicating conditions. The SIT chief DGP P. Mohanty and DIG M.N. Anuchet have both visited the sites in question.
The discovery has reignited public outcry and is drawing scrutiny for systemic lapses that may have allowed such atrocities to remain hidden. Civil society groups are preparing Public Interest Litigations (PILs) to demand judicial monitoring. Women's rights organizations have launched a petition campaign across Karnataka, urging for justice and accountability.
A gag order on reporting was overturned, and an arrest was made related to misinformation involving an AI-generated video, indicating active legal proceedings and investigations ongoing. Additionally, new complainants and activists have come forward with further allegations and evidence, including video documentation of burial incidents from years ago, pressing the SIT to expand their investigations.
The SIT plans to conduct ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveys to identify possible additional grave sites. The investigation is expected to continue as the DNA analysis results from the FSL are expected within two weeks. Former SC judge Justice Kurian Joseph has called for urgent national-level oversight, underscoring the significance of this case.
[1] The New Indian Express [2] The Times of India [3] Deccan Herald [4] The Hindu
- This investigation, initially focused on the Dharmasthala mass burial case, has expanded to encompass politics, as civil society groups are demanding judicial monitoring and accountability.
- Amidst the ongoing general-news story of the mass burial case, crime-and-justice concerns are also highlighted, with further allegations and evidence coming to light, including video documentation of burial incidents.
