The Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to expose the mystery of the burial of collective bodies in the city of Dharmasthal, Karnataka, on Friday intensified the action. According to police sources, the team excavated the seventh marked site, but no remains were found. The SIT has now moved towards the next phase of the search operation, site number 8. Earlier, the remains of the human skeleton were found on the site number 6.
According to the information, additional laborers, heavy machinery and police forces have been deployed for excavation at the identified site, so that the search operation can be intensified. A total of 15 sites have been identified here for excavation. These places were revealed after an anonymous complaint lodged by a former sweeper. He has claimed that between 1995 and 2014 he was forced to bury several bodies.
It is also being alleged that the bodies buried were also included in the bodies of women and minors. Many bodies were clearly visible on the bodies of sexual abuse. The complainant has filed these sensational charges by making a statement before the magistrate. On this basis, the state government had formed a special investigation team (SIT) to investigate the matter, buried for the last two decades.
Human skeletal remains will decide the direction of investigation
Forensic experts say that the remains recovered so far will decide the direction of checking the remains. Experts from Mangaluru have clarified that a complete human skeleton is necessary to confirm the real cause of death or to be buried. If only a few bones or partial remains are found, it would be very difficult to legally draw any decisive conclusions.
Dharmasthal Gram Panchayat clarification on allegations
Meanwhile, the officials of Dharmasthal Gram Panchayat have presented clarification on the allegations. The panchayat says that since 1995, more than 200 unclaimed and unknown bodies have been buried in various parts of the village. In the absence of formal cemetery, such bodies were buried on the banks of the river, forest land and government plots. This process was done completely under legal formalities.
SIT released helpline number
However, the police have several challenges in the investigation of the case. Even if the remnants found are proved to be male skeletons, it will still be difficult to identify with whom they are. DNA matching is necessary for this and a large number of complainants will have to come forward. The SIT has issued its helpline number to file a complaint.
