No human remains found in SIT’s 13th suspected Dharmasthala site

The SIT’s two-day excavation at the 13th suspected burial site in Dharmasthala ended without finding any human remains, despite witness claims. Of 16 locations identified, only two have yielded remains so far. Further searches are planned at the remaining sites

Mangaluru: A two-day Special Investigation Team (SIT) excavation at the 13th suspected burial site in Dharmasthala ended on Wednesday without recovering any human remains, despite claims by a witness-complainant that hundreds of bodies were buried there under the influence of powerful individuals.

The dig took place near the Kindi Dam along the Netravati–Ajikoori road, where SIT teams excavated a pit measuring about 32 feet deep, 25 feet long, and 12 feet wide. After inspection, officials confirmed that no skeletons or burial evidence was found. By evening, the pits were being refilled using JCB machines.

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Due to overhead power lines and the proximity of the dam, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) scans were first conducted to assess subsurface conditions. Once cleared, digging began on Tuesday to depths of 15–20 feet using earthmovers, extending further on Wednesday. Officials said about 10 feet of soil had been filled during earlier dam and road construction, necessitating deeper excavation.

The complainant personally identified the site, drawing significant public attention. SIT chief Pranab Mohanty, Puttur Sub-Divisional Officer Stella Varghese, SIT SPs Jitendra Kumar Dayama and C A Simon, and a National Human Rights Commission team supervised and inspected the work.

Of 16 suspected sites identified by the complainant, only two have yielded remains so far. Skeletal remains were earlier found at Bangle Gudde, but none emerged from the 13th site despite extensive digging. The SIT will continue searches at the remaining locations.