Bones Found From New Site In Dharmasthala Mass Burial Case
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged mass burial case in Dharmasthala on Monday recovered multiple skeletal remains from a new site identified by the anonymous complainant, police sources said.
Under the supervision of Director General of Police (DGP) Pranab Mohanty, the SIT halted exhumations at the designated 11th site and redirected operations to a previously unexamined spot at a place called Banglegudde.
The new site, located on an elevated terrain nearly 100 feet high, has yielded several skeletal fragments, including skulls and other human bones, sources in the police said.
According to sources, the SIT, which is investigating the case of hundreds of alleged illegal burials between 1995 and 2014, has already gathered Unnatural Death Report (UDR) records for the period. Despite earlier records being tampered with or missing from Belthangady police archives, prior data collection ordered by Mohanty soon after the SIT's constitution helped preserve critical evidence.
Police officials said the recovered skeletal remains have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to determine age, gender, and possible cause of death.
The skeletal remains that were recovered from site No. 6 on July 31 have been sent for forensic examination.
Attempts to exhume at four other locations--labelled sites 7 to 10--had earlier failed to produce conclusive evidence, further intensifying focus on the new site. Minor injuries were reported among a few personnel during the operation due to the difficult terrain, police officials said.
The SIT has invited residents who had earlier lodged complaints or shared information to actively engage with the ongoing investigation. Officials said that recovering as many skeletals as possible remains a top priority in one of Karnataka's largest forensic-led investigations.
The SIT investigation continues under tight secrecy, with daily operations expected to proceed based on emerging findings.
The SIT was formed by the state government after allegations emerged of mass murder, rape, and illegal burials in Dharmasthala over the past two decades.
The complainant, a former sanitation worker whose identity has not been disclosed, claimed that he was employed in Dharmasthala between 1995 and 2014.
He alleged that he was forced to bury several bodies--including those of women and minors--some of which bore signs of sexual assault.
He has since recorded a statement before a magistrate in connection with these claims.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- The Hindu
SPC calls for collective fight against drug menace
State Police Chief (SPC) Ravada A. Chandrasekhar has sought collective action to tackle drug menace, describing it as a national security concern that is seeping into schools, colleges, and rural communities. Speaking at the handing over of Soxtoxa analysers, a device for checking the presence of drugs, to the police in Kannur, he said that 25,000 drug cases had been registered so far this year. The SPC said drug abuse was no longer confined to dark alleys but was destabilising society by corrupting youth, destroying families, and fuelling organised crime. 'Kerala, with its high literacy rate, must not fall prey to this silent epidemic. Along with enforcement, early detection, timely intervention and strong partnership are essential,' he said. Highlighting enforcement efforts, Mr. Chandrasekhar said 30,000 cases were detected in 2023, while 27,000 cases were detected in 2024. This year alone, the police detected 3,000 ganja cases and seized 17 kg of MDMA. Pointing to large-scale drug seizures at ports and airports, he said enforcement was crucial to choking supply chains. He commended police personnel for their efforts but stressed the need for community participation. The SPC urged civic bodies, NGOs, educational institutions, parents, media, and student police cadets to join the fight against drugs. Sotoxa analysers were provided using the corporate social responsibility funds of Walker Foundation in collaboration with Kannur Seaside Rotary Club. Inspector General (North Zone) Rajpal Meena, Kannur Range Deputy Inspector General G.H. Yatheesh Chandra, District Police Chief (Kannur City) P. Nidhinraj, and Walker Foundation chairman V.K.C. Naushad were present.
Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Indian Express
Chandigarh: Woman among 4 drug peddlers held, 51.21 grams of heroin recovered
The Chandigarh Police has arrested four drug peddlers, including a woman, in two separate cases and seized a total of 51.21 grams of heroin from their possession. In the first case, a team from Sector-36 police station, led by Inspector Jai Parkash Singh, arrested two men involved in drug peddling. The arrests took place on the night of August 4 near the forest area close to Sector 53–Mohali turn. The police team was patrolling the area when two suspicious individuals carrying bags were seen approaching from the direction of Khalsa College, Mohali. Upon noticing the police, the duo turned around and attempted to flee but were apprehended after a brief chase. They were identified as Gurpreet Singh (22), a cab driver from Dhandiquadim village, Jalalabad West, currently residing in Kharar, and Ashok, alias Happy (29), a private employee and resident of Sector 52, Chandigarh. A search of their bags led to the recovery of 21.46 grams of heroin from Gurpreet and 15.28 grams from Ashok, totalling 36.74 grams. An FIR under Section 21 of the NDPS Act was registered at Sector 36 police station. Initial investigations revealed that the two accused had been sourcing heroin from a supplier based at Kharar. They would purchase around 30–40 grams of heroin for approximately Rs 50,000 and then sell the substance to users in Chandigarh and Mohali. Gurpreet and Ashok came into contact with the drug dealer through a common friend during a visit to Shimla. Both were produced before the court on Tuesday, and the police secured one-day remand to trace the supplier. In the second case, the team from Maloya police station, led by SHO Inspector Jasbir Singh, arrested a woman drug peddler and her associate. The arrests followed an earlier incident on August 2, when ASI Satnam Singh, while on patrol near the petrol pump in Sector 38-West, apprehended Bobby (24), a resident of Sector 38-A, Chandigarh, and recovered 12.47 grams of heroin from him. During further investigation, the police arrested the co-accused, Heena (30), wife of Deepak and a resident of DMC, Chandigarh. She was apprehended on August 4, and 14.47 grams of heroin was recovered from her possession. In total, the police recovered 51.21 grams of heroin in both cases, 21.46 gms from Gurpreet, 15.28 gms from Ashok, 12.47 gms from Bobby, and 14.47 gms from Heena. All the accused are currently under police remand. The Chandigarh Police has said that these arrests are part of an intensified anti-drug operation being carried out in the run-up to the Independence Day. The aim is to break down local drug networks and trace supply chains extending into areas like Kharar and Mohali. Further investigations are ongoing to identify the main suppliers and expand the crackdown on narcotics trafficking in the region, said the police.
NDTV
5 hours ago
- NDTV
No Caste Discrimination In Water Distribution: Madras High Court's Big Order
Chennai: In a powerful and far-reaching order, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has condemned caste-based discrimination in access to public water resources and directed statewide implementation of equitable practices. Justice Dr RN Manjula passed the order in response to a bail petition where a 65-year-old woman from the Scheduled Caste community highlighted discriminatory practices in Thalaivankottai village, Tenkasi district. Calling the denial of water based on caste "pathetic and surprising in this scientific age," the court termed access to clean drinking water a fundamental right and integral to the right to life. The court had earlier directed the Tenkasi District Collector to ensure Scheduled Caste residents were not made to wait until others had taken water. A compliance report filed on July 31 confirmed installation of 17 new public taps and the formation of a committee to monitor equal access. Appreciating the swift response, Justice Manjula emphasized that authorities should not wait for complaints to act, noting that caste discrimination often goes unreported due to fear or apathy. Invoking Sections 3(1)(za) and 21 of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the court reminded the government of its constitutional duty to ensure that common public resources like water are shared without discrimination. In a significant directive, the judge ordered the Director of Municipal Administration, Director of Town Panchayats, and District Collectors across Tamil Nadu - under the supervision of the Chief Secretary and in coordination with the Director General of Police - to implement the "Thalaivankottai model" in every village and urban area within three weeks. The case will be heard next on August 21. The court also urged that committees be formed at the panchayat level to proactively monitor equal access to public resources and promote caste harmony.
