Blrpost.com Impact: SIT collects many skeletal remains, search to continue

Bengaluru 

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Dharmasthala mass burial case has begun collecting skeletal remains discovered on the surface last week at Bangle Gudde, located in Dharmasthala village panchayat, Dakshina Kannada. Blrpost.com was the first to report the discovery of skeletons on September 7.

The SIT team returned in the evening hours after collecting as many skeletal remains found on the surface. The sources said as the search will continue exact count will be put out after completion of this operation. However, seven found during the mahajars were recovered.

Also Read (Dharmasthala Crimes: SIT finds multiple skeletal remains at Bangle Gudde during Mahajar)

Earlier, this website had also reported that a large number of skeletal remains were found during two mahajars conducted by the investigation team. While the report was initially disputed by many, mainstream media outlets later began covering it. Sources in the Home Ministry said the discovery has shocked several leaders, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, prompting the government to give the green signal for collecting the bones. The mahajar was conducted in the presence of Vittal Gowda, uncle of victim Soujanya.

Also Read (Not just 2, Bangle Gudde has ‘massive’ number of skeletal remains)

On Wednesday, the SIT entered the forest area at Bangle Gudde and started recovering bones and skulls lying on the surface. At least 40–50 personnel from the SIT, forest department, and other agencies are involved. The SIT retrieved remains believed to belong to seven individuals and to continue searching for more. Since the operation is ongoing, the exact count of remains will be known only by evening. All recovered bones will be sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Madiwala, Bengaluru.

Also Read (SIT visits Bangle Gudde yet again)

Meanwhile, the SIT is also investigating a possible black magic angle, gathering information on witchcraft practices, as the hillock may have been used for such activities. Separately, the Belthangady court has rejected the bail plea of Chinnayya, arrested on August 23. The SIT has questioned several individuals, including Vittal Gowda, Girish Mattannavar, Manaf, and Abhishek. The statement of witness Pradeep Gowda has been recorded under Section 183 of the BNSS.

Also Read (Exhumation to resume? Bangle Gudde cordoned off, placed under guard)

It may be recalled that the SIT was constituted on July 19 after Chinnayya filed a complaint at Dharmasthala police station, claiming he had been forced to bury bodies illegally. He later repeated this before a magistrate. Following this, the SIT carried out exhumations for two weeks, recovering skeletal remains of two individuals. However, Chinnayya later retracted his statement and was booked for perjury and forgery.