Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady

Beltangady, Sept 17: The investigation into the mystery surrounding the Banglegudde Reserved Forest has taken a major turn, as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) discovered human skeletal remains at five different spots deep within the forest, thanks to information provided by Sowjanya’s uncle, Vittal Gowda.

The significant development has brought investigators closer to unravelling the so-called ‘Banglegudde Mystery’, raising hopes of a long-awaited breakthrough in the case.

Intensive forest search yields key evidence

The SIT, under the leadership of investigating officer Jitendra Dayama, has been conducting round-the-clock searches in the forest. Dividing the dense forest into three sections, three separate teams launched simultaneous search operations, combing through the terrain without breaks — not even for meals.

During the nearly three-hour continuous search, the teams recovered skeletal remains and body parts scattered on the forest floor. Mahazar (on-site documentation) procedures were completed at all locations where bones were found.

Forensic evidence collection underway

A team from the Scene of Crime Office (SOCO) arrived on site to collect the discovered bone fragments scientifically. From each location where remains were found, soil samples were also collected using PVC pipes, a method preferred over metal to prevent chemical interference.

The bone samples and soil cores have been sent to the forensic laboratory, where they will undergo analysis to determine whether decomposition occurred at those sites — thereby confirming if bodies were buried there.

Officials say the scientific analysis will help establish key facts such as whether the remains were recently or long decomposed, and whether they were indeed interred at the scene.

Soil core sampling: Scientific insight into decomposition

The use of PVC pipes to extract core soil samples helps ensure that DNA or blood residues, if present, are not chemically altered — which could happen with metal pipes.

These samples will be tested in the forensic lab for pH levels, chemical changes, and biological traces. According to investigators, any significant chemical alteration in the soil could provide scientific confirmation of whether a body had decomposed into the earth, thus serving as critical evidence.

This progress comes amid mounting public pressure and judicial oversight on the investigation. Officials believe that once the full forensic report is received, further crucial details will emerge, potentially leading to closure in this long-pending case.

• Dharmasthala case: SIT gets over 30 plaints amid claims of murder, cover-up and likely exhumations
• Dharmasthala mass burial case: Thimarody flags 4 suspected murders to SIT; human remains found
• SIT revisits Dharmasthala burial site, skeletal remains sent for forensic tests
• New evidence emerges in Dharmasthala case: Original video shows remains hauled from forest
• Dharmasthala murder probe: Villagers write to SIT, offer to reveal alleged burial sites
• Dharmasthala case: Intelligence warned of conspiracy in 2023
• Dharmasthala murder probe: Villagers write to SIT, offer to reveal alleged burial sites
• SIT steps up probe in Dharmasthala skull case, seizes hotel records linked to Chinnayya 
• Dharmasthala ‘maskman’ identified as C N Chinnayya, remanded to 10-day SIT custody
• Dharmasthala ‘skull’ case takes dramatic turn; sourced from medical research centre
• Dharmasthala case: ‘Maskman’ arrested by SIT for giving false information
• Dharmasthala case: Fresh search for bones likely after FSL report
• Dharmasthala case: RTI reveals 279 bodies buried since 1987; most unclaimed, SIT probe intensifies
• SIT probe in Dharmasthala case at crucial stage; operation may conclude soon
• Dharmasthala case: Witness complainant shows new site near Kanyadi
• New witness emerges in Dharmasthala mass burial case, claims key evidence
• Dharmasthala case: SIT considering narco test on complainant? Key developments emerge
• Beltangady: SIT deploys ground penetrating radar at 13th site in Dharmasthala burial probe
• Dharmasthala grave mystery: SIT finds nothing at Ratnagiri Hill’s ‘point 16’ despite day-long dig
• Dharmasthala mass burial case: SIT begins excavation at 14th site after discovery of human remains
• Body found at new location during SIT operation in Dharmasthala case
• Dharmasthala mass burial: Fifth day search yields no remains at two new suspected sites
• Dharmasthala burial case: Skeletal remains found at sixth location
• No human remains found yet in Dharmasthala case; PAN, ATM cards recovered, probe continues
• No human remains found on Day 1 of SIT’s excavation at Dharmasthala forest site
• Exhumation begins in Dharmasthala forest in mass grave case; medical team joins SIT
• Armed security deployed at Dharmasthala as SIT identifies suspected mass burial sites in forest area
• Dharmasthala mass burials: Witness, complainant record statements as SIT begins probe
• SIT begins probe into Dharmasthala unnatural deaths; office set up in Beltangady
• SIT constituted to probe mass burial allegations, abuse cases in Dharmasthala region
• Witness may abscond after exhumation in Dharmasthala case, says DK SP
• Dharmasthala mass burials: Complainant's lawyers decry police response, demand protection, action
• Man claiming to have buried over 100 bodies near Dharmasthala appears before court
• Shocking allegation of multiple body disposals in Dharmasthala; complainant seeks protection
• Lawyers seek SP’s attention over Dharmasthala murder case; claim man identified burial spots
• Explosive letter goes viral: Alleges murders, cover-ups in Dharmasthala; claims bodies were hidden