On the sixth day of exhumation in the alleged Dharmasthala mass burials case, authorities discovered nearly 100 human bones, including a skull and spinal column, in a forest area near the Netravati bathing ghat, under Dharmasthala police limits. The skeletal remains were located about 100 metres from the 11th site marked by the complainant-witness.
According to Special Investigation Team (SIT) sources, the remains are believed to belong to two individuals, and were found alongside a knotted saree tied about six feet high on a tree. The remains were scientifically collected, sealed in three buckets and two PVC pipes, and removed from the site.
The SIT, which entered the forest at 11:30 am and searched until 6:15 pm without pause, had planned to excavate the 11th identified site but shifted focus based on the witness’s request. So far, 10 of the 13 marked burial sites have been dug. Only one other site, the sixth, has yielded human remains.
A complaint was also filed on Monday at the Dharmasthala police station by Jayant T, an RTI activist, regarding the suspicious burial of a 13–15-year-old girl 15 years ago. He alleged that the death was not investigated and no FIR was filed, demanding accountability from past law enforcement. Jayant clarified his intent is not to target any individual or religious institution but to ensure justice.
Puttur assistant commissioner Stella Varghese, SP Jitendra Kumar Dayama, and four commandos oversaw Monday’s operation.