A major breakthrough has occurred in the Dharmasthala mass burial case as a new eyewitness has come forward, potentially reshaping the investigation into one of Karnataka’s most haunting and controversial mysteries.
Who is the New Witness?
The witness, protected by state protocols, is a local social activist who claims to have witnessed multiple unlawful burials over the last 15 years. Among the claims is an allegation that a teenage girl was buried without police procedures or post-mortem—an “open secret” in Dharmasthala.
Impact on the SIT Investigation
The SIT (Special Investigation Team) is re-examining burial sites and cross-checking the new witness’s testimony against earlier findings. Early excavations yielded minimal skeletal evidence, but the new testimony is opening up leads and encouraging more villagers to speak with authorities. Forensic efforts are being intensified at several suspected sites.
Community Response and Allegations
The emergence of a new witness has ignited both hope and anxiety in the village. Some villagers allege SIT officers previously tried to intimidate witnesses—a charge the SIT has promised to investigate. There are heightened calls for transparency and for robust protection of witnesses.
Wider Significance for Karnataka and India
This mass burial case, now under a fresh spotlight, raises pressing questions about rural policing, legal accountability, and the rights of marginalized victims in India. Human rights groups have renewed demands for an impartial probe and support for grieving families.
Looking Ahead
Investigators remain optimistic that this new evidence could finally bring closure to long-standing questions and deliver some justice. The broader community, along with state and national observers, now await SIT’s next steps with renewed urgency.