Daijiworld Media Network- Beltangady
Beltangady, Jul 26: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Karnataka government has officially commenced its probe into the chilling allegations of mass burials in Dharmasthala village of Dakshina Kannada district. The investigation was launched in full swing on Saturday, following the appearance of the anonymous complainant before SIT officials in Mangaluru.
According to reliable sources, the complainant, who had earlier raised serious allegations involving secret burials of multiple bodies over the last two decades, arrived at the SIT office located at the Intelligence Bureau (IB) premises in Mallikatte on Saturday, accompanied by his legal counsel. Two rooms at the IB office have been reserved exclusively for SIT operations. The team has begun questioning the complainant, with all proceedings being documented through video recording.
The SIT team, led by Director General of Police (Internal Security Division) Pronab Mohanty, includes key officers such as DIG M N Anucheth and Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Dayama.
DIG Anucheth has reached Mangaluru to supervise the progress of the case and is expected to conduct a high-level internal meeting involving more than 20 officers from across Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada districts. Personnel from police stations in Dharmasthala, Mulki, and Byndoor have also been roped in.
On Friday night (July 25), SIT officer Jitendra Dayama made a surprise visit to the Dharmasthala Police Station to collect related documents and hold closed-door discussions with Station Sub-Inspector Samarth R. Ganiger. The move is seen as an indication of the SIT’s seriousness in uncovering the truth behind the disturbing claims.
The genesis of the case lies in an explosive anonymous complaint that alleged the burial of numerous bodies, including women and minors, in and around Dharmasthala between 1995 and 2014. The complainant, a former sanitation worker, claimed he was forced to bury bodies—some of which showed signs of assault. He has since submitted a sworn statement before a magistrate corroborating his claims.
In a related development, the sister of Padmalatha, a 19-year-old girl who went missing in Ujire in 1986, has expressed willingness to cooperate if the SIT reopens her sister’s mysterious death. Padmalatha had gone missing after attending her college’s annual day. Her skeletal remains were later found with her limbs bound, suggesting possible foul play. Her sister, Chandravathy, expressed renewed hope that the long-forgotten case may finally receive justice.
Amid growing public concern, Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra has called for a fair and transparent investigation. Addressing media persons, he said that while the truth must come out, there must also be efforts to safeguard the region’s social harmony and prevent any misuse of the issue for false propaganda. “We are aware of the conspiracies. If the sanctity of the place is disturbed, we will be compelled to respond accordingly,” he cautioned.
With the SIT now officially on the ground and digging into past records and testimonies, citizens across the coastal belt are watching closely as one of the region’s most sensitive and mysterious cases unfolds under the legal lens.