No human remains found in latest Dharmasthala excavation, SIT probe continues
The exhumations are part of a wider SIT inquiry ordered after allegations surfaced earlier this year about possible illegal burials in the region.
The complainant had claimed that 'tens of human bodies" were buried at the location.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) had deployed two earthmovers on Tuesday, digging up to 18 feet deep and 25 feet wide, removing over 20 tonnes of soil.
The SIT is probing the alleged burial of bodies in Dharmasthala in Dakshina Kannada district. They have also been using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) technology at the spot.
Before the digging began, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) mounted on a drone was used to scan the sub-surface. The SIT has not yet disclosed its analysis of the GPR imagery.
According to sources, the high-capacity drone equipped with radar imaging can provide live images of sub-surface anomalies.
The exhumation work, which began at 11.30 am, continued until dusk, after which the site was refilled.
Officials did not specify whether further exhumation will be conducted at other identified sites.
The exhumation at 'spot number 13' on Tuesday was the deepest so far.
The inspection is being led by SIT chief Pranab Mohanty, who arrived in Mangaluru earlier today before proceeding to the SIT office in Belthangady.
Mohanty, accompanied by SIT officials and the Assistant Commissioner, is likely to visit the site along with the complainant and his legal counsel.
Officials said the GPR examination is being carried out in the presence of the complainant and his lawyer to ensure transparency. The move is expected to help uncover crucial evidence related to the case.
The SIT has identified 'spot number 13' as a key location in its ongoing probe, and investigators believe the radar scan could provide significant leads in resolving the matter.
With the help of anonymous tip-off, investigators had identified 16 sites in the Dharmasthala area.
To date, none have produced conclusive evidence of mass graves, except site number 6, where officials recovered a half-broken human jawbone and a few other bones.
Belthangady taluk authorities later confirmed the finds, but their origin and age are yet to be formally established. PTI COR JR GMS ROH
view comments
First Published:
August 12, 2025, 22:30 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
25 minutes ago
- News18
26/11 Mumbai attack: Delhi court allows Tahawwur Rana 3 phone calls with kin
New Delhi, Aug 13 (PTI) A Delhi court on Wednesday allowed 26/11 Mumbai attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana to have three phone calls this month with his brother to discuss engaging a private counsel, court sources said. Special judge Chander Jit Singh also extended the judicial custody of Rana till September 8 after the accused appeared virtually, they added. According to the sources, the judge during the in-chamber proceeding said the phone calls by Rana will be recorded and the conversations will have to be in English or Hindi in the presence of prison authorities. Legal aid counsel Piyush Sachdeva was stated to have sought time from the court to scrutinise certain documents in the chargesheet and supplementary chargesheet. Rana is allegedly a close associate of 26/11 main conspirator David Coleman Headley, alias Daood Gilani, a US citizen. He was brought to India after the US Supreme Court on April 4 dismissed his review plea against his extradition to India. On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists went on a rampage, carrying out attacks on a railway station, two luxury hotels, and a Jewish centre, sneaking into India's financial capital through the sea route. A total of 166 people were killed in the assault that lasted for nearly 60 hours. PTI MNR AMK AMK (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: August 13, 2025, 17:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Cocaine, ecstasy worth Rs 1.46 crore seized in Mumbai, drug peddler held
Mumbai, Aug 13 (PTI) Police have arrested a drug peddler in Mumbai, and recovered from him cocaine and MDMA/ecstasy drugs collectively worth Rs 1.46 crore, officials said on Wednesday. The Kandivali unit of the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) took the action on Tuesday following a tip-off, they said. A trap was laid near St Joseph School in Juhu. When the accused, a 30-year-old man, came to the spot, he was searched, during which 143 grams of cocaine and 13 grams of ecstasy were recovered from him, an official said. During his interrogation, the man admitted that he had come to sell the synthetic drugs in the Juhu-Andheri area, he said, adding that he was also involved in smuggling of drugs. view comments First Published: August 13, 2025, 16:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Nine suspected Rohingyas detained in Assams Cachar
Agency: PTI Last Updated: Silchar (Assam), Aug 13 (PTI) Nine suspected Rohingyas, including women and children, have been detained by Assam Police near the India-Bangladesh border in Cachar district, an officer said on Wednesday. Residents of Bishwanbharpur village in Katigorah area near the border spotted a group of unfamiliar people and after questioning them, handed them over to the police on Tuesday night. The detained persons claimed they had entered India illegally around 20 years ago and were working in Hyderabad in different capacities, the police officer said. During interrogation, they said that they wanted to return to Bangladesh as they had relatives there and two middlemen had promised to help them cross the border, he said. The nine detained persons who claimed they were Rohingyas had travelled by train from Hyderabad and were taken by a middleman to a forest near the border where they stayed for the whole day without any food or water. It was in the evening that they came out of the forest in search of food when they were spotted by the locals, he said. They were brought to Silchar and further investigation was underway, the officer added. PTI COR DG DG ACD (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: August 13, 2025, 16:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
