Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Sept 2:  In a significant development in the unfolding Dharmasthala case, a group of villagers has written to the Special Investigation Team (SIT), expressing their readiness to point out locations where they claim murder victims were secretly buried.

The letter, submitted by Tukaram Gowda, a resident of Dharmasthala, states that although the case has caused fear among the community, the formation of the SIT has restored confidence that a transparent and impartial investigation will be carried out.

“The matter has taken a very serious turn, and we are living in fear,” the letter says. “But with the government setting up an SIT, our trust in a fair and objective probe has increased. We are ready to fully cooperate in the investigation.”

The letter specifically identifies Chinnaiah, the former sanitation worker whose shocking allegations of mass burials and sexual assault victims between 1995 and 2014 triggered the current probe. “We have recognised the individual shown in media reports,” the villagers wrote. “We saw him transporting bodies to various places and burying them.”

Though these alleged acts were done secretly, the villagers say such events rarely remain hidden in a rural setting. “In our village environment, even secret activities eventually come to light,” the letter adds.

The letter also raised concerns over the confusion surrounding Chinnaiah’s later retraction of his statement, which was widely reported in the media. “It’s unclear why he withdrew his testimony — and that raises even more questions,” they noted.

According to the villagers, the accused deliberately chose isolated spots with low public movement to carry out the burials. They said they are willing to guide the SIT to those very locations.

“We are prepared to take the SIT to the identified burial spots. For the sake of truth and justice, we are ready to offer full support,” the letter concluded.

The SIT, which was formed by the state government to probe Chinnaiah’s claims, has already recovered skeletal remains from two sites along the banks of the Netravathi River, based on his directions. 

The Dharmasthala controversy continues to snowball, drawing political fire, social tension, and growing calls for accountability — even as investigators dig deeper into the disturbing allegations.