Dharmasthala: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Dharmasthala mass burial case has unearthed a total of 100 bone fragments from various flagged locations, marking the most significant physical breakthrough yet in an investigation spanning alleged killings over 16 years, from 1998 to 2014.
The recent recoveries were made during excavations at Site 6 and Site 11-A. On Monday, skeletal remains were uncovered at Site 11-A, approximately 100 metres from Site 11. Forensic teams are now examining the bone samples for further analysis. However, no new discoveries were reported from Tuesday’s digging at the same site.
Currently, only two of the original 15 sites — Site 12 and Site 13 — remain to be excavated. SIT officials indicated that the search may expand based on findings and evolving leads. However, continuous rainfall has delayed progress, causing frequent halts in excavation work.
There are conflicting accounts regarding Monday’s findings. Advocates representing one of the complainants claimed that three sets of human remains, including that of a woman, were discovered at Site 11-A, along with a saree. However, top police sources refuted the claims, stating that no such remains have been confirmed by forensic experts as of now.
Advocate Manjunath N, representing Sujatha Bhat — mother of missing medical student Ananya Bhat — praised the SIT’s investigative approach and defended the decision to let the key whistleblower, Bhima, revise site locations based on memory.
“Insisting on rigid adherence to old measurements would be unscientific. The SIT’s flexibility is critical to uncovering the truth,” Manjunath said in a press note.
The whistleblower, a former sanitation worker, alleges he was forced to dispose of multiple bodies — including women and minors, many of whom allegedly bore signs of sexual abuse — over a span of 16 years. The alleged burial sites are spread across riversides, highways, and forests near Dharmasthala, raising serious questions about the scale and nature of the crimes.
As the case continues to unfold, the SIT’s investigation remains under tight scrutiny, both from the public and human rights groups, who are closely monitoring each step for transparency and justice.