Human skeletal remains recovered in Dharmasthala case during SIT spot inspection
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Mangaluru: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Dharmasthala case of alleged serial rapes, murders and burials recovered human skeletal remains during a spot inspection at Bangale Gudde on September 6, police said on Monday.
The discovery was made in the presence of a relative of a 17-year-old student who was allegedly raped and murdered on October 9, 2012, a crime that remains unsolved more than a decade later despite a CBI inquiry and Supreme Court intervention.
Police sources said the relative unearthed a skull at the site on the instructions of activist Girish Mattannavar, who had earlier obtained information from complainant C. N. Chinnaiah, based on whose petition the SIT was formed. The inspection later revealed at least two sets of skeletal remains.
“During the spot mahazar (spot inspection) at Bangale Gudde, the SIT recovered skeletal remains of at least two individuals. This is a shocking development for the investigation team,” a senior officer said, adding that more remains may still be buried in the area.
The bones have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for examination. Police are also investigating why Chinnaiah, who had prior knowledge of the site, failed to disclose it earlier. Officials said the relative recorded the exhumation on video and will be questioned further.
“We will investigate how the person came to know of this location and why it was kept hidden for so long. The FSL report will be crucial in establishing the identity of the deceased and the circumstances of their death,” a police source said.
The case has drawn wide attention after Chinnaiah, later arrested for perjury, claimed that multiple bodies, including those of women showing signs of sexual assault, were buried in Dharmasthala over several years. His allegations pointed towards the administrators of the local temple, triggering protests by the BJP against attempts to target the shrine. Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar warned that strict action would follow if the claims proved false.
Veerendra Heggade, the Dharmadhikari or custodian of the temple, welcomed the SIT probe. Meanwhile, investigators have expanded their inquiry beyond Karnataka, issuing summons to Kerala YouTuber Manaf and pursuing leads in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
