Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, July 31: In a significant development on the third day of the search operation on Thursday, July 31, in the Dharmasthala human remains burial case, skeletal remains were discovered at the sixth marked point, according to sources.
However, an official confirmation is yet to be received from SIT team investigating the case.
The bones were reportedly located during excavation based on directions provided by an anonymous informant. The SIT team has collected the remains in accordance with standard procedures and will send them for forensic examination (FSL test).
The apparent discovery of skeletal remains at one of the locations identified by the informant is seen as a crucial breakthrough in the investigation. Alongside the SIT, officials from the forest and revenue departments also conducted a survey of the area at the sixth point.
The excavation work at the site faced minor delays due to water accumulation in the pit from a nearby stream of the Netravati river. Pumps were brought in to remove the water and allow further digging.
While the operation initially relied on manual labour, machinery such as a Hitachi excavator was deployed on Thursday. Seven more locations identified by the informant are yet to be excavated. The informant had previously stated that definite skeletal remains would be found from the ninth point onwards.