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India.com
2 hours ago
- Science
- India.com
Beneath the Blessings: Why Ground Penetrating Radar Must Illuminate Dharmasthala's Darkness
(File) Dharmasthala case:The latest events in Dharmasthala have shocked people across the country. This temple town in Karnataka is famous for the sacred Manjunatha Temple and the peaceful Netravathi River. But now, it is in the news for a disturbing reason. A former worker has claimed that hundreds of bodies—mainly of women and girls who may have been raped or murdered—were secretly buried over many years near the temple area. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has started digging based on the maps and directions given by the whistleblower. However, the land near the river is full of mud, rocks, and uneven ground. This makes digging slow, difficult, and not very successful. As recent reports show, even the first site they dug at did not find anything, proving how limited and unreliable this manual method is. This is where modern technology like Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) can make a big difference. GPR is a non-destructive method that uses radar signals to look under the ground. A GPR system includes a control unit, antennas to send and receive signals, a power supply, and a screen to show the results. It works by sending high-frequency electromagnetic (EM) waves into the soil. These waves bounce back when they hit something buried, like bones, disturbed soil, or empty spaces. The system notes how long the signal takes to return and how strong it is, creating an image of what's under the surface. Choosing the right GPR frequency is very important. Lower frequencies (like 50 to 200 MHz) can go deeper—up to 10 to 15 metres if the ground is good—but they show less detail. Higher frequencies (like 400 MHz to 1.5 GHz) show clearer and smaller objects, but only from shallow depths—maybe up to 1 metre. For investigations like this, where bodies may be buried at different depths, it is best to use a mix of frequencies or special antennas that stay close to the ground. These give better signals and are not disturbed by outside noise. This way, experts can look for both deep and shallow signs of burial. The soil near the Netravathi River is a mix of sand, clay, and silt—this is called alluvial soil. Because of heavy rains in that area, the ground stays wet and has rocks like hornblende and clay like kaolinite. Wet or clay-filled soils can weaken the GPR signals and reduce how deep they go. But GPR can still detect changes in the ground's electrical properties and water levels. When a body is buried, it disturbs the natural soil layers. As the body decays, it creates empty spaces or changes in moisture and density. These are seen as clear signals or curved patterns on the GPR image. If the survey is done during dry weather and by trained experts, GPR can work well even in difficult soil like this. It gives a more complete and faster picture than digging by hand. Some people may think that this technology is too expensive. But actually, it is quite affordable for the government and investigation teams. A basic GPR machine costs around ₹10 to ₹15 lakh. More advanced ones can go up to ₹50 lakh. Renting a GPR machine costs between ₹30,000 and ₹1.5 lakh per month. In some cases, full project-based services are also available—either for ₹10 per square metre or up to ₹3.5 lakh a month. Training someone to use the machine may cost another ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh. Compared to the cost of long manual digging, and the risk of missing important clues, GPR is cheaper, quicker, and gives better results. India does not have to depend on other countries for this equipment. We have companies that make and supply GPR machines here. For example, Mistral Solutions in Bengaluru has worked with DRDO to build handheld GPR machines. Aimil Ltd in Delhi provides GPR equipment in partnership with global brands. There are also trusted suppliers in cities like Hyderabad, Ghaziabad, and Chennai. These companies supply machines, offer support, and help with training. Their GPR systems are already used in archaeology, engineering, and forensic work across India. So, we already have the technology and trained people right here. India has used GPR successfully in many past projects. In Uttar Pradesh, ancient sites like Ahichhatra and Kaushambi were scanned using GPR. Later digging confirmed the presence of old buildings that GPR had found. In Andhra Pradesh, at a place called Motravulapadu, GPR helped scientists find fossils and bones buried deep in the ground. GPR has also helped map underground rock layers and old river paths in states like Gujarat. These real examples clearly show that GPR works well in different types of Indian soil—whether dry, wet, or full of rocks. It is a trusted tool for looking below the surface without digging. Even though we have this proven and available technology, there is no official news that GPR is being used in Dharmasthala. Reports say the SIT is still depending only on maps given by the whistleblower and digging manually. But this is slow, uncertain, and can miss buried bodies—especially in areas near rivers, where the land is complex and full of stones and trees. The fact that the first dig found nothing shows that it's time for a better method. Dharmasthala is a sacred and sensitive place, so the investigation must be done with care, respect, and precision. GPR offers a way to find the truth without damaging the land. It is modern, scientific, and cost-effective. If the SIT uses this technology, they can save time, protect the area, and make sure no burial site is left unseen. The Netravathi River has always stood for life and purity. It should not become a place where dark secrets remain buried. We must act quickly and responsibly. The truth must come out—and Ground Penetrating Radar can help us make that happen. (The author, Girish Linganna, is an award-winning science communicator and a Defence, Aerospace & Geopolitical Analyst. He is also the Managing Director of ADD Engineering Components India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. Contact: girishlinganna@
India Today
3 hours ago
- India Today
Dharmasthala whistleblower's lawyer claims red blouse, ATM cards found, SIT denies
Advocate N Manjunath, who represents the whistleblower in the Dharmasthala mass burial case, has issued two detailed press releases claiming the recovery of key items — including a torn red blouse, a PAN card, and two ATM cards — from one of the excavation sites, even as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) continues the exhumation process in the temple town. advertisementHowever, SIT sources have denied any such recovery so a statement released on Wednesday, Manjunath said they had taken note of sources confirming the recovery of a torn red blouse, a Permanent Account Number (PAN) card, and an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card from a depth of approximately 2.5 feet at Site No. 1. 'Immediately after this development, the SIT's subsequent actions deserve commendation,' the statement read. He further praised the SIT's decision to excavate the site down to a depth of 10 feet, calling it a sign of 'professional commitment' and evidence of their resolve to ensure no piece of evidence, however small, is release also noted that the recovered items — one PAN card and two ATM cards, with one bearing a male name and another bearing the female name Lakshmi — presented potential leads. 'The seriousness and rigour demonstrated by the SIT have given us renewed hope. We continue to place our full faith in their work as they proceed to the remaining sites,' he a second release, Manjunath, who also represents Sujatha Bhat, mother of medical student Ananya Bhat who went missing in Dharmasthala in 2003, shared specific details allegedly given by the complainant-witness regarding the number of bodies buried at various locations identified for excavation. According to him, the information suggests: Site No. 1 has 2 bodies, Site No. 2 has 2, Site No. 3 has 2, Sites No. 4 and 5 together have 6, Sites No. 6, 7 and 8 have 8 bodies in total, Site No. 9 has between 6 to 7, Site No. 10 has 3, Site No. 11 has 9, and Site No. 12 has between 4 to 5. Site No. 13 is said to contain the highest number of further claimed that, according to the complainant-witness, the site with the most bodies is not among the currently marked 13 locations. It is believed to be situated further away and will be taken up once the present round of exhumations is complete.'For Sujatha Bhat, this process is not merely an investigation; it is a profound journey towards truth and closure for her beloved daughter and for countless other missing persons,' the release stated.'I will watch out for each and every exhumation. My heart aches for answers, and I have full faith that the SIT's painstaking work will unearth the truth, no matter how long it takes or how deep they must dig,' Sujatha Bhat police sources confirmed that the three sites identified in the alleged mass burial case in Dharmasthala, Karnataka, have yielded no evidence of human remains. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case has now begun digging at a fourth location.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Karnataka
New Indian Express
4 hours ago
- New Indian Express
SIT seizes Rs 11 crore in Andhra 'liquor scam'
AMARAVATI: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) police probing the alleged Rs 3,500 crore liquor scam seized Rs 11 crore in cash from a farmhouse near Hyderabad on Wednesday, said an official source. Varun Purushotham, listed as accused person 40 (A-40) in the scam case, reportedly 'confessed' to his role and revealed crucial information, leading to raids and unearthing hidden cash stashes. "Acting on Purushotham's information, the SIT conducted raids and seized Rs 11 crore in cash from a farmhouse on the outskirts of Hyderabad," the source said.
India Today
5 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Another dig, another dud in Dharmasthala case: No human remains at third site
The third site identified in the alleged mass burial case in Dharmasthala, Karnataka, has yielded no evidence of human remains, police sources confirmed. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case has now begun digging at a fourth exhumation at the first two site, located along the Nethravathi River, was carried out on Tuesday in the presence of the whistleblower. Despite efforts by police officials, forensic experts, and revenue department staff—who used a JCB machine to dig deeper after encountering water seepage—no remains were found. The second site too drew a blank, prompting the team to shift to a third comes after the whistleblower in the case identified 15 suspected locations linked to mass burials and cremations. According to sources, eight of the sites are along the banks of the Nethravathi River, while locations 9 to 12 are beside the highway near the river. The 13th site is on the road connecting Nethravathi to Aajukuri, and the remaining two are in the Kanyadi area near the Pranob Mohanty, who has been heading the SIT, has been empanelled for DGP-level posts in the central government. It is learnt that this is a routine annual process and not a deputation. It makes him eligible for senior roles at the Centre should he choose to Home Minister G. Parameshwara, when asked about the development, said, 'If he opts for Central service, we are examining whether he can continue in the SIT even after that. If the need arises to appoint another officer, we will discuss it. We will act as per the legal provisions. If a change is required, we will appoint someone of his rank to lead the investigation.'- EndsTrending Reel IN THIS STORY#Tamil Nadu
News18
7 hours ago
- News18
Andhra Pradesh Liquor Scam: SIT Seizes Rs 11 Crore From A Farmhouse In Hyderabad
Last Updated: Raids at the homes and offices of the accused led to the discovery of unaccounted cash and other crucial evidence. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged Rs 3,500 crore Andhra Pradesh liquor scam seized Rs 11 crore in cash from a farmhouse near Hyderabad on Wednesday. Varun Purushotham, listed as an accused person in the scam case, reportedly 'confessed' to his role and revealed crucial information, leading to raids and unearthing hidden cash stashes. The seized money was found in 12 boxes disguised as office files, reportedly hidden on the instructions of Raj Kesireddy and Chanakya, with the assistance of Vinay and Varun Purushotham. Raids at the homes and offices of the accused led to the discovery of unaccounted cash and other crucial evidence. Acting on Purushotham's information, the SIT conducted raids and seized Rs 11 crore in cash from a farmhouse on the outskirts of Hyderabad, news agency PTI reported. It has been learnt that the scam runs into thousands of crores and involves a web of shell companies, kickbacks, and political protection. More arrests and seizures are expected in connection to the case, with the team closely tracking financial transactions and political links uncovered during the recent round of raids. According to police, an alleged liquor scam occurred during the previous YSRCP government between 2018 and 2024. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: 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.
