Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady

Beltangady, Aug 14: The Dharmasthala mass burial case has taken a new turn with the entry of a fresh complainant, Purandara Gowda, raising hopes of a breakthrough in the Special Investigation Team’s (SIT) search operation.

Earlier, the complainant in the case had claimed that several bodies were buried at the 13th identified site, leading to two days of digging in the area. However, no evidence was found. Now, on the 15th day of the search, curiosity surrounds the next location where excavation will be carried out.

On Wednesday, digging was also carried out at the second spot of the 13th site, reaching a depth of 32 feet and a width of 13 feet, but again, no remains were recovered. In a fresh development, two witnesses – Tukaram Gowda and Purandara Gowda – have come forward, claiming they too had seen bodies being buried at the site.

The duo has lodged a complaint with the SIT, stating they are ready to testify if the team investigates the matter. They also alleged that in another case involving bodies buried on the banks of the Netravati river, a government official was involved, and they plan to share this information with the SIT.

Purandara Gowda further claimed that he personally witnessed bodies being removed from the boot of an Ambassador car and buried secretly between 4 pm and 5 pm.

When asked why they remained silent until now, Purandara Gowda explained that fear had kept them from speaking out. However, with the Chief Minister forming the SIT, they have gathered the courage to come forward.

He suggested that the reason no remains were found at the earlier site could be due to the area’s development over the years, as well as changes caused by heavy rain, floods, and dam construction work.

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• Dharmasthala mass burial case: SIT begins excavation at 14th site after discovery of human remain
• Body found at new location during SIT operation in Dharmasthala case
• Dharmasthala mass burial: Fifth day search yields no remains at two new sites
• Dharmasthala burial case: Skeletal remains found at sixth location
• No human remains yet in Dharmasthala case; PAN, ATM cards found, probe on
• No human remains found on Day 1 of SIT’s excavation at Dharmasthala forest site
• Mass grave exhumation begins in Dharmasthala; medical team joins SIT
• Armed security deployed at Dharmasthala as SIT identifies suspected mass burial sites in forest area
• Dharmasthala mass burials: Witness, complainant record statements as SIT begins probe
• SIT begins probe into Dharmasthala unnatural deaths; office set up in Beltangady
• SIT constituted to probe mass burial allegations, abuse cases in Dharmasthala region
• Witness may abscond after exhumation in Dharmasthala case, says DK SP
• Dharmasthala mass burials: Complainant's lawyers decry police response, demand protection, action
• Man claiming to have buried over 100 bodies near Dharmasthala appears before court
• Shocking allegation of multiple body disposals in Dharmasthala; complainant seeks protection
• Lawyers seek SP’s attention over Dharmasthala murder case; claim man identified burial spots
• Explosive letter goes viral: Alleges murders, cover-ups in Dharmasthala; claims bodies were hidden