Dharmasthala Crimes: 1 full human skull, another fragmented, 50-60 bones found at spot 14

A source said these skeletal remains is of at least three human beings who were buried at this spot

Bengaluru

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Dharmasthala mass burial case found one human skull and over 50 bones on Monday, the sixth day of excavation at a new spot. This is the 14th spot, as the SIT had earlier marked 13 places. Blrpost.com was the first news media outlet to break the story about the findings.

Also read | Dharmasthala Crimes: SIT finds ‘multiple’ skeletal remains in surprise spot

Bheema, for five days, asked the Assistant Commissioner (AC), Puttur, Stella Varghees, to dig specifically at places he had shown. However, as a change of strategy, he took the AC about 100 meters away from the 11th spot. It’s a remote area and very steep. The workers found it challenging to dig this spot, and some sustained minor injuries during the operation.

A highly placed source in the Home Ministry said during the operation, “the team found one full human skull, another fragmented skull, 50–60 bones, a saree, and other materials.” This was the highest number of findings so far. The AC may continue digging at this spot until she is satisfied or may return to spot 11. The source further said these bones, skulls belong to at least three human beings.

The sources said that these human skeletal remains will be sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL). It should be noted that even before the SIT determines the age, sex, and cause of death, some locals are claiming that the skull may be of a person who died by suicide. The SIT has a herculean task of investigation ahead even after the completion of excavation.

The way the investigation is progressing is raising curiosity. The sources say that many surprise elements are yet to come.

On the other hand, SIT sources said the team will welcome locals who have filed complaints to join the digging party. The key aim of the team is to find as many bodies as possible during this massive, first-of-its-kind operation in Karnataka. A local person had also approached the SIT on Monday, claiming that he also knows the spots, as he has seen men burying the bodies.

It should be noted that the State Government constituted the SIT on July 19 after a former sanitation worker filed a complaint with the Dharmasthala police on July 3. The police registered the FIR on July 4. Following public outcry, the government decided to form the SIT.

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