Mangaluru: As the Special Investigation Team (SIT) continues its inquiry into the Dharmasthala mass burial case, a four-member National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) team began its own fact-finding mission on Monday.
Led by Senior Superintendent of Police Yuvaraj and DySP Ravi Singh, the team visited the SIT office in Belthangady, the Dharmasthala gram panchayat, and the local police station to collect case-related documents and statements. They also recorded the testimony of the complainant witness.
From the police, the NHRC obtained decades-long records of unnatural death cases. At the panchayat office, officials examined data on unclaimed body burials over the years, including the number of labourers involved and their current status. Some workers were visited at home for questioning, while a sanitation worker was called to the office for additional details.
The team also inspected the Bahubali Betta road site, where the SIT had exhumed remains on August 9.
Acting suo motu, NHRC officials said they aimed to verify whether police and panchayat procedures for disposing of unidentified bodies were properly followed. They plan to review statements from all parties, assess the SIT’s progress, and remain in Dharmasthala for around four days, extending if necessary.