Dharmasthala Crimes: Blrpost.com investigation reveals grave digging at Puttur cemetery in June

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Puttur

An independent investigation by BLR POST into the Dharmasthala mass burial case has uncovered that a grave belonging to a woman was dug up in the cemetery of St. Antony’s Church at Bannur in Puttur taluk, Dakshina Kannada. A complaint regarding the incident was filed on June 26 at Puttur Town Police Station.

Despite the desecration, the police have not registered a First Information Report (FIR). Instead, they issued a Non-Cognizable Report (NCR) to the church authorities, directing them to pursue the matter in court. “Digging or desecration of graves warrants an FIR,” a senior IPS officer told this website.

The church’s head priest confirmed the incident, saying: “Probably on Saturday or Sunday (June 21 or June 22) we found that the grave was dug. We lodged a complaint, but the police did not file an FIR. A few days later, the police called us, and we sent our advocate. The skeletal remains were not taken.”

Thomas, who oversees the cemetery, added: “After we noticed this, we filed a complaint. The grave was later closed in the presence of Puttur Town Police, who warned us to take such matters seriously. A portion near the woman’s leg was disturbed, but no bones or skull were removed.” When this reporter visited, the cemetery was shut. 

What raises further suspicion is that the skull presented as evidence by accused Chinnayya surfaced between June 21 and June 26 at Bangle Gudde. He first tipped off a Soujanya activist about the skull’s presence, suggesting it could be retrieved from there. This raises the possibility that the skull was planted, either by Chinnayya or at his behest. The skull was picked up by one of the activists. 

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) now faces the critical task of probing whether the Puttur cemetery desecration is linked to this alleged forgery of evidence.

The SIT arrested Chinnayya for perjury and forgery. He is currently in police custody.

The SIT was formed on July 19 after Chinnaya filed a complaint in Dharmasthala police station alleging that he was forced to bury hundreds of bodies. He also recorded his statement under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023. For two weeks based on his statement the SIT conducted an exhumation operation and found two skeletal remains. During the questioning he lied about the skull he brought for which he was arrested.