Human skull found in Dharmasthala during electrical work

Mangaluru

A human skull was found in  temple town Dharmasthala on Thursday when linemen attached to the Mangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (MESCOM) were carrying out work on an electric pole. The spot where the skull was found is close to one of the locations identified by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) during the exhumation operation in the mass burial case.

A source who shared a video of the skull said it was found near Sthnana Ghatta (bathing point) while the workers were carrying out their work. The skull was lying beneath grass and shrubs when one of the linemen noticed it.

It may be recalled that the SIT had identified 14 spots in Dharmasthala village and excavated them to investigate allegations of mass burials. These locations were identified based on the information provided by C.N. Chinnayya, the complainant and accused in the mass burial case (39/2025).

The source said the discovery had been brought to the attention of the SIT for further action, as the team is investigating the case.

During a search operation in the Banglegudde area, the SIT had earlier recovered seven human skulls and several bones. The remains were sent to a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for DNA analysis and matching. The DNA profiles of three skulls and one bone matched those of family members of missing persons. The SIT traced the family members using identity cards found near the skeletal remains.

The SIT is currently awaiting permission from the State government to conduct further investigations in the Banglegudde area.

Describing Thursday’s discovery as shocking, the source said the skull was found very close to the Dharmasthala-Ujire road. The source added that the SIT or local police should recover the skull and investigate how it came to be there and whether it matches the remains of any missing person.