The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has officially commenced its inquiry into the disturbing Dharmasthala mass burial case. On Saturday, the whistleblower — who is also the complainant and key witness — appeared before SIT Investigating Officer Jitendra Kumar Dayama to give his statement. The SIT has set up its operations office at the PWD Inspection Bungalow in Mallikatte, Kadri, Mangaluru.
The previous day, senior SIT officials, including DIG M N Anucheth and Officer Dayama, arrived in Mangaluru and formally took custody of the case files from Dakshina Kannada police. They completed essential legal formalities and gathered preliminary data related to the case.
Later Friday night, Dayama visited the Dharmasthala police station for further case-specific inputs.
The complainant — a former sanitation worker — arrived at the SIT office on Saturday with legal counsel. In his statement, he reiterated his earlier allegations that he had been coerced and threatened into burying multiple deceased women, most of whom were alleged victims of sexual exploitation, within and around Dharmasthala village. He further claimed he was made to conceal these crimes under pressure.
His original complaint was filed with both the Dharmasthala police and the Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police, leading to a formal case registration on July 4.
The Karnataka government established the SIT on July 19, following intervention by Karnataka State Women’s Commission Chairperson Nagalakshmi Choudhary. The SIT is led by DGP Pranav Mohanty and includes DIG M N Anucheth, DCP Soumyalatha (CAR HQ), and SP Dayama.