Mangaluru: The Karnataka government has officially transferred the Dharmasthala Burial Case to a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for a thorough and impartial inquiry. The decision follows alarming allegations involving unnatural deaths, missing persons, and possible abuse in the Dharmasthala region.
According to an order dated July 19, the SIT will be led by DGP Pronab Mohanty of the Internal Security Division. The team will also include IPS officers M N Anucheth, Soumyalatha, and Jitendra Kumar Dayama.
Dakshina Kannada SP Dr Arun K confirmed the handover, stating that the SIT will soon begin its investigation into case number 39/2025, filed at Dharmasthala Police Station under Section 211(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The move follows a letter by the Karnataka State Commission for Women, dated July 14, which referred to a shocking statement made in court by an individual who claimed to have buried hundreds of bodies in the area. The letter also highlighted the recent discovery of a human skull, along with testimonies from families of missing female students, suggesting serious crimes may have occurred over the last 20 years.
Given the gravity of the allegations—including suspected murders, rapes, disappearances, and abuse—the Commission requested a high-level probe. The government has since ordered the consolidation of all related cases across Karnataka under the SIT’s jurisdiction.
The SIT will operate from the Dakshina Kannada District Police office and must report updates in real time to the DG & IGP, and submit a final report to the government.