Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Aug 12: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing allegations of mass murder, rape and mass burials in Dharmasthala has been granted police station powers, allowing it to directly register complaints linked to the case, home minister G Parameshwara said on August 11.

Addressing reporters, Parameshwara said complainants no longer need to approach local police. “People can now directly approach the SIT to file complaints. We will know the facts once the probe is complete,” he stated, refusing to comment further until the investigation concludes.

The SIT, formed by the state government, is examining claims made by a former sanitation worker—whose identity has been withheld—that he was forced to bury multiple bodies, including those of women and minors, during his employment in Dharmasthala between 1995 and 2014. He alleged that some victims showed signs of sexual assault and has recorded a statement before a magistrate.

Initially, the complainant identified 13 suspected burial sites. According to Parameshwara, this number has now risen to between 16 and 19.

As part of the investigation, the SIT has been searching forested areas along the banks of the Netravathi river in Dharmasthala, based on the complainant’s inputs. Skeletal remains have so far been recovered from two locations.