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⚖️ Dharmasthala Mass Burial Case: Uncovering a Chilling Allegation in Karnataka
The serene temple town of Dharmasthala, nestled in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district, has been shaken by allegations of mass burials, sexual violence, and systemic cover-ups spanning nearly two decades. What began as a whistleblower’s testimony has now triggered a full-scale Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe, forensic exhumations, and national outrage.
🖼️ Featured Images
Here are visuals you can embed or link to for context:
- 📍 SIT Begins Exhumation at Netravathi Riverbank
- 🧑⚖️ Whistleblower Leads SIT to Burial Sites
- 🏞️ Forest Digging Near Dharmasthala Temple
- 📰 Timeline of Allegations & SIT Formation
- 📷 Wikipedia Overview of the Case
📌 Case Summary
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| 📍 Location | Dharmasthala, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka |
| 🧑⚖️ Whistleblower | Former sanitation worker (identity protected) |
| 📅 Alleged Timeline | 1995–2014 |
| 🧬 Victims Alleged | Over 100 women and minors; signs of rape, murder, and acid attacks |
| 🛡️ SIT Formation Date | July 19, 2025 |
| 🕵️♂️ Investigating Body | Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by DGP Pronab Mohanty |
| 🧪 Current Status | Exhumation underway at 15 geo-tagged sites near Netravathi River |
🧠 Whistleblower’s Testimony
The whistleblower, a Dalit sanitation worker formerly employed by the temple administration, claimed:
- He was coerced into burying bodies of women and minors showing signs of sexual assault
- Some victims were stripped, strangled, or burned with acid
- Burials occurred near Netravathi River, petrol bunks, and forested areas
- He fled Dharmasthala in 2014 after threats to his family
- Returned in 2025 with photo evidence, skeletal remains, and a sealed envelope naming alleged perpetrators
🧪 SIT Investigation Highlights
- 13+ sites identified for exhumation
- Forensic teams, doctors, and armed police deployed
- Video documentation of digging and skeletal recovery
- Legal counsel and district officials present during operations
- Gag orders issued to media outlets to prevent defamation and protect identities
🧬 Victim Families Speak Out
- Sujatha Bhat, mother of missing MBBS student Ananya Bhat, filed a fresh complaint believing her daughter may be among the victims
- Activists and lawyers demand DNA testing, respectful funerals, and justice for the deceased
🧾 Legal & Political Reactions
- Supreme Court advocate KV Dhananjay holds sealed names of accused for safety
- Actor Prakash Raj, CPI MP Sandosh Kumar, and others demand transparency
- Temple administration denies wrongdoing but supports a fair probe
- BJP MLA Arvind Bellad calls allegations “baseless”
🧭 Historical Context
- Dharmasthala previously linked to the 2012 Sowjanya rape-murder case, which remains unresolved
- Allegations of intimidation, suppression, and mishandled investigations have resurfaced
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