Mangaluru: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing allegations of mass graves at Dharmasthala in Mangaluru district will begin excavating three suspected burial sites on Wednesday, sources said.
Authorities have expedited the process due to the sensitivity of the case and formed three teams to oversee the operation. The excavations will be carried out in the presence of three tehsildars.
All three sites, among 13 identified, are in a reserve forest near the Nethravathi River, requiring manual digging. The complainant, who claims to have buried the bodies of hundreds of women and girls allegedly raped and killed, is accompanying the SIT. He is being escorted in a suit and mask to conceal his identity as he fears for his life and family’s safety.
On Tuesday, investigators dug up the first site near the Nethravathi bathing point to a depth of 8 feet and width of 15 feet but found no human remains. The site was later refilled.
The complainant has said the bodies were buried in trenches about 3 to 3.5 feet deep. The SIT has asked the Forest Department for permission to use a small JCB machine to assist with the digging.
Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara has assured that the case is being taken seriously and that the investigation will be impartial.
The case gained attention after the unidentified complainant, who claims he was forced to bury multiple rape and murder victims in Dharmasthala village, recorded his statement on 11 July under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita before a Mangaluru court.
According to his testimony, he fled the pilgrimage center 11 years ago and alleged the women’s bodies showed clear signs of sexual assault, with many found unclothed and bearing injuries indicating violent attacks.