Dharmasthala Case: Construction Waste Dumped at Exhumation Site? Focus Shifts to Spot 16

Girish Mattannavar, a member of the Sowjanya Nyayapara Horata Samiti, recently raised concerns in a new video about construction waste found at a site previously identified for exhumation linked to the alleged mass burials in Dharmasthala.

He alleged that the whistleblower who had previously identified this site as the burial location, but now construction waste-approximately 15 feet deep-has been dumped there. He further claimed that the soil appears relatively new, likely only about one year old, rather than 15 years old as expected. He requested that the government look into the matter to understand how this occurred and which contractor was involved.

So far, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has completed excavation at 12 sites indicated by an anonymous informant. Despite thorough searches, no conclusive evidence has been found at these spots, with the case now reaching a crucial stage.

Excavation is currently underway at spot number 16, located at Bahubali Hill in Dharmasthala. This has sparked curiosity and speculation, as Bahubali Hill houses the famous Bahubali statue and the nearby Ratnagiri Hill. Questions are emerging about whether decades-old skeletal remains could be hidden at this location and why the anonymous informant highlighted this specific spot.

It must be noted that the SIT found bones only at spot number 6. However, forensic analysis revealed the remains belong to a male, not the woman initially suspected. These bones have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for further examination.

The SIT has yet to investigate spot number 13 due to nearby infrastructure, including a dam and an electrical transformer. Additionally, moisture in the soil has made ground-penetrating radar (GPR) searches challenging at spots 14, 15, 15(A), 15(B), and 15(C), where no evidence has been found.

The ongoing excavation at spot 16 has raised significant interest. If no skeletal remains are discovered there, authorities may consider opening excavation at other locations as the investigation continues to unfold.