In a significant step towards justice, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has formed a 20-member squad to investigate shocking allegations of mass burials, sexual assaults, and systemic cover-ups in Dharmasthala, Karnataka, reportedly spanning over 16 years.
The probe was triggered by a whistleblower, a former sanitation worker, who alleged that between 1998 and 2014, he was forced to bury and cremate bodies, including women and minors, many showing signs of physical and sexual assault. His testimony prompted the filing of an FIR, and the presentation of skeletal remains in court, shaking the region and sparking nationwide outrage.
Following legal pressure and renewed attention to old complaints, including the disappearance of a woman in 2003, the government acted by constituting the SIT. Witness protection has been granted to the complainant and other potential informants.
This explosive revelation has led to the resurfacing of two dormant cases, with families demanding a reinvestigation, alleging political and police suppression in the past. The SIT’s task now involves retracing decades of alleged abuse, verifying testimonies, and collecting forensic evidence to bring closure to victims and accountability to those involved.
As pressure mounts, activists and legal experts emphasize the need for transparent proceedings and independent oversight to ensure justice isn’t delayed or denied. The case has become a flashpoint for systemic reform in handling crimes linked to powerful institutions.