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Parts of a skeleton and remains of a saree have been found at a second site by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the Dharmasthala mass burials case. Sources confirmed to TNM that the skeletal remains and saree were found on Monday, August 4, near spot 11, close to the Nethravathi river. The team is now digging at the 11th spot.
Sources told TNM that the whistleblower had requested the SIT to alter the site of the planned excavation. The SIT had originally planned to dig at the 11th identified site on Monday, but shifted focus based on the complainant’s request. Excavation, however, continued at spot 11.
So far, the SIT has excavated 10 sites, and Monday’s recovery marks the second instance of skeletal remains being found during the probe.
Notably, the first and only other time human remains were discovered was on the third day of the operation, at the sixth site.
The case stems from claims made by a former sanitation worker, who alleged that he was coerced into burying numerous bodies in Dharmasthala, including those of women and girls who appeared to have been sexually assaulted. Most of the identified burial spots are located near the banks of the Nethravathi river.
The whistleblower, whose identity remains protected for safety reasons, recounted in his complaint years of burying bodies under orders from superiors at the Dharmasthala temple. On July 28, accompanied by officials from the revenue, forest, and other departments, he led the SIT to alleged burial sites near the snanaghatta (bathing ghat), providing detailed accounts of each location.
Allegations of mass burials surfaced in late June when advocates representing the whistleblower disclosed his claims at a press conference. Following a complaint lodged on July 3 and the registration of an FIR the next day, the SIT began on-site investigations on July 11. The SIT is now tasked with confirming the identities of the recovered remains and determining whether more bodies are buried at the other marked locations.