Skeleton Discovered at Sixth Site in Dharmasthala Case, SIT Gains First Major Lead

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) recovered partial skeletal remains from the sixth site of their excavation in the Dharmasthala mass burial investigation. This site marks the first location to yield human remains since the search operation began.

Experts Begin Forensic Analysis

Forensic teams have taken the remains for examination. Investigators believe the bones may belong to a male. Specialists are now working to determine the person’s age, identity, and cause of death. The SIT has not announced any conclusions yet.

First Five Sites Showed No Bones

Officials dug at five other sites before reaching this one. Each location was selected based on a sworn statement from the complainant. Though teams reached depths of up to eight feet, they found no bones—only ATM cards and an ID card.

Whistle-Blower Filed Original Complaint

A former sanitation worker, who worked between 1995 and 2014, filed the initial report. He testified in court that his superiors forced him to bury multiple bodies. In his statement, he said many victims were women and showed signs of violence, including strangulation and sexual assault.

SIT Pushes Forward with Search

DGP Pronab Mohanty, who leads the SIT, continues to direct excavation efforts. His team plans to use ground-penetrating radar at sites where digging is unsafe. Rain and unstable soil have delayed work in several locations, but the search continues.

Government Pledges Fair Investigation

Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said the government will not protect anyone if the evidence proves wrongdoing. He added that the investigation will move forward without bias or interference.

Lawyers Link Case to Missing Reports

Legal teams have connected the case to over 360 missing-person reports. Many of those cases involve young women and date back years. The SIT is now reviewing those records to find potential links to the burial sites.

Next Steps Rely on Lab Reports

The forensic results will shape the next phase of the investigation. The SIT plans to continue digging at additional locations. They have not shared a timeline but confirmed that the case remains open and active.