Mangaluru: The Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing allegations of mass burials in Dharmasthala, continued its exhumation work for the fifth straight day on Saturday. Search operations at points 9 and 10 yielded no human remains, according to initial reports.
Under the supervision of Puttur Assistant Commissioner Stella Varghese, the team began work around 11 AM at a site near the state highway. The area was cordoned off using green shade nets to block public view. Manual digging tools and a mini earth mover, including a mini-JCB, were deployed to aid the process. Digging went as deep as five feet, with police ensuring smooth traffic flow nearby.
Operations at point 9 continued until 2:30 PM, after which the team shifted focus to point 10 around 3:30 PM. However, evening rains disrupted further excavation work.
The complainant witness, a former sanitation worker in Dharmasthala (1995–2014), was present on site along with his legal team. He had earlier alleged that he was forced to bury multiple bodies in secret and fled the area fearing threats to his life. Based on his testimony, SIT had mapped 13 suspected burial sites, and partial skeletal remains were found at point 6 on Thursday.
Meanwhile, controversy erupted as the complainant’s advocate alleged that a police officer had issued threats. A formal email complaint was sent to the SIT, which has confirmed receipt and assured an inquiry. The entire exhumation is being video recorded, and legal representatives are observing the process.