Search for Buried Bodies Resumes on Netravathi Riverbank at Dharmasthala with GPR technology

The SIT has widened its search near Point No. 13 on the Netravathi Riverbank in Dharmasthala, using drone-mounted Ground Penetrating Radar. The operation follows claims of mass burials, with security tightened and access restricted while investigators scan newly cleared areas for possible evidence.

Mangaluru ; The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has resumed its search operation on the banks of the Netravathi River in Dharmasthala, focusing on “Point No. 13,” where an anonymous tip had earlier claimed hundreds of bodies were buried. On Tuesday, the team expanded the investigation zone to nearly three times the area initially identified by the informant.

For the first time in this case, investigators deployed drone-mounted Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technology to scan the expanded site. Unlike conventional GPR devices, this advanced system has its antenna attached beneath a drone, allowing it to fly close to the ground, send signals into the earth, and record the reflected data via sensors. The information is then processed into 2D and 3D imagery, enabling accurate detection of objects beneath the surface even in inaccessible areas like the riverbank.

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Before the operation began, workers cleared tall weeds and dense vegetation under the supervision of SIT officials. Revenue and panchayat staff assisted in cleaning the expanded search zone.

The search radius now includes adjoining land around Point No. 13, suggesting investigators may have obtained fresh leads. Officials have kept details of any potential discoveries confidential, but the expansion has fueled speculation about possible new evidence.

Security at the site has been significantly increased, with over 50 police personnel deployed, including armed guards from the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP). Access to the area has been restricted to maintain the integrity of the investigation.

Authorities are hopeful that the use of drone-mounted GPR will reveal critical information in the coming days, possibly shedding light on the allegations that have drawn public and media attention to Dharmasthala’s riverbank.