Not just 2, Bangle Gudde has ‘massive’ number of skeletal remains

Belthangady 

The sleuths of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) were flabbergasted during their visit to Bangle Gudde on September 6, where they discovered a massive number of skeletal remains. The visit was part of a mahajar, after investigators found that a skull presented earlier as evidence before the magistrate had been picked up from this location.

At least three sources confirmed to blrpost.com that skeletal remains had been deposited in large numbers. A highly placed Home Ministry source described the scene as “like the sight of a battlefield.” Another source said skeletons were visible on the surface, as if they had been dumped without even being buried. The SIT, probing the Dharmasthala mass burial case, was shocked by the discovery.

A third government source added: “There is a massive number of skeletal remains, and some look old. However, the age of the bones can only be determined through scientific examination at the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL).” The SIT has so far sent remains pertaining to two individuals and officially maintained that the purpose was to establish the origin of the skull.

The team has cordoned off the entire Bangle Gudde area and deployed security personnel, triggering speculation that the SIT may be sending additional skeletons to the FSL covertly to avoid drawing attention. The SIT, however, has denied this, maintaining that it lacks authority to investigate new findings. Officials argue that this site was not mentioned in the original statement by accused Chinnayya under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.

But that explanation defies logic, as Assistant Commissioner (AC), Puttur Division, previously dug at spot “11 A,” which was also not listed in the statement. A day before that exhumation, Chinnayya reportedly met his brother Thanasi, who informed him about the spot, after which he insisted on digging there.

By law, the presence of an AC or Tahsildar is mandatory for an exhumation, but not for retrieving remains from the surface. Given the SIT’s high secrecy, any exhumation carried out is expected to remain equally confidential. This may explain why blrpost.com reporters were denied permission to independently view the site.

Routine probe

The SIT has continued questioning Jayanth T, Vittal Gowda, Girish Mattannavar, Abhishek, and Manaf in connection with the skull and the alleged conspiracy targeting influential personalities in Dharmasthala.

It may be recalled that Chinnayya was arrested on August 23 and is currently in judicial custody. He faces charges of perjury and forgery of evidence related to the skull he produced before a magistrate. The SIT was constituted on July 19 after Chinnayya lodged a complaint at Dharmasthala police station, alleging he had been forced to bury bodies illegally. He later gave his statement before a magistrate. Following this, the SIT carried out exhumation operations for two weeks and recovered skeletal remains belonging to two individuals.