Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Belthangady
Mangaluru/Belthangady, July 28: In a chilling case that has stunned the nation, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has identified multiple sites near Dharmasthala where human remains have been allegedly buried, triggering high-level inspections and round-the-clock armed security in the dense forest zone near the Nethravathi River.
Acting on a sensational tip-off from a key informant, the SIT has marked 15 suspected burial locations within a two-kilometre stretch along the riverbank. These areas, said to be part of forest land, are now the focus of an intensive multi-agency probe.
Armed ANF personnel guard sites overnight
In response to the gravity of the claim, authorities have deployed 30 armed personnel from the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF), assigning two guards to each point to prevent disturbance or tampering of potential evidence. The ANF, equipped with firearms, will maintain constant vigil through the night, patrolling the thick forest terrain around the marked zones.
Security forces confirmed that the deployment would continue until forensic teams complete their assessments. The case has sparked enormous public interest, with many closely following updates from what is being described as a potential mass burial site investigation.
SIT conducts inquest with informant at River bathing Ghat
Earlier in the day, SIT officials arrived at the Belthangady SIT office, where the witness who provided the burial details appeared around 11 am. Following a closed-door interaction and the formal recording of his statement, the informant accompanied the investigation team under tight security to the field location near the Dharmasthala Nethravathi bathing ghat.
The team included key officials:
A inquest (on-site inspection) was carried out in the area believed to have been disturbed or dug, possibly for the burial of bodies, as claimed in the testimony.
Forest, revenue, forensics teams join multi-agency operation
The SIT was joined at the site by representatives from multiple departments to ensure comprehensive documentation and analysis:
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Forest Department (as the suspected sites fall under forest land)
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Revenue Department
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Survey Department
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FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory) – SOCO (Scene of Crime Officers)
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ISD (Internal Security Division)
All agencies collaborated in mapping the area, examining soil disturbances, and collecting early-stage forensic evidence.
Nation watches as Dharmasthala probe deepens
The SIT investigation has triggered nationwide curiosity and concern, particularly due to the sacred and serene reputation of Dharmasthala, a place widely known for its temple and cultural significance. The seriousness of the allegations and the scale of the response—from armed patrols to inter-departmental coordination—has only added to the public intrigue.
Officials say the probe is still at an early stage, and any confirmation of buried human remains will depend on forensic testing and detailed excavation under strict legal procedures.
More developments are expected in the coming days as the SIT expands its investigation.