Dharmasthala Secret Burial: A sanitation worker’s shocking testimony has unearthed chilling claims of secret burials, rape, and murder in Dharmasthala. Skeleton fragments recovered. SIT investigates over 360 missing cases.
Dharmasthala, Karnataka – July 31, 2025: A chilling horror has resurfaced in Dharmasthala, a town known more for spiritual pilgrimages than criminal investigations. A former sanitation worker has ignited a firestorm by alleging that hundreds of victims—many of them women and minors—were raped, murdered, and secretly buried near the Netravathi River between 1998 and 2014.
The shocking revelations came to light on July 4, when the whistleblower, who once worked under local authorities, submitted a formal complaint claiming he was forced to assist in the cremation and burial of numerous bodies. The victims, according to him, bore visible signs of sexual assault, physical violence, and trauma.
Over 360 Missing or Dead
Local records reportedly show over 360 missing or dead individuals in the Dharmasthala area. The timing and details eerily align with the whistleblower’s account, raising serious concerns about possible cover-ups and systemic abuse.
In response, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) launched an extensive probe. The SIT, accompanied by the complainant and under tight security, conducted a spot inspection at 13 alleged burial sites in the Belthangady taluk of Dakshina Kannada district.
Skeleton Fragments Found at Sixth Site
Out of the 13 locations flagged by the witness, five were examined first, but no evidence was recovered. However, the sixth site yielded disturbing evidence—a portion of a skull, several bone fragments, and pieces of cloth, possibly belonging to a female victim. Forensic teams have been deployed to conduct DNA testing and analysis.
Investigators have not yet publicly commented on the findings, but forensic evidence may become a turning point in this potentially explosive case.
Gram Panchayat Denies Allegations
The Dharmasthala Gram Panchayat has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that all unclaimed or unidentified burials have been recorded and audited since the 1980s. Panchayat members insist that no illegal activity has occurred under their administration.
Despite the denial, pressure is mounting. Advocate Manjunath N, who is representing the whistleblower, has demanded the immediate arrest of Shrinivas Rao, the Vice President of the Gram Panchayat, citing his alleged involvement and failure to act on reported disappearances.
Public Outcry and Human Rights Concerns
Human rights activists, locals, and media have raised serious concerns about the safety and transparency of local governance. The case has reignited discussions about missing persons in rural India, caste-based discrimination, abuse of power, and the urgent need for institutional accountability.
Public sentiment is strong, with calls for central government intervention, high-level judicial monitoring, and the formation of a dedicated task force to investigate all missing persons cases linked to the Dharmasthala region.
What Lies Ahead?
As forensic analysis continues, the SIT is expected to search the remaining burial sites and cross-reference with local missing persons databases. If additional remains are recovered, it may validate the witness’s explosive claims and trigger criminal action against local authorities.
For now, the silence surrounding these graves has been broken. The people of Dharmasthala—and the nation—await answers.