Dharmasthala Whistleblower Sparks SIT Demand in Mass Burial Case
Shocking Claims Shake Dharmasthala: Whistleblower Alleges Mass Burials
A sensational whistleblower account has shaken the spiritual town of Dharmasthala in Karnataka. The former sanitation worker, shrouded in anonymity and dressed in black robes, claimed he buried the bodies of women—many showing signs of sexual assault—under orders while working for the Dharmasthala temple board between 1995 and 2014.
The incident came to light when the man, who had been absconding for nearly a decade, recorded a statement under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The details in his letter, submitted to the police in June, describe decades of systemic violence against women, mass cover-ups, and deep-rooted complicity.
“Many of the female bodies were without clothing or underwear. Some bore signs of sexual assault and violence—wounds or strangulation,” he wrote.
In one instance, he recalled the burial of a schoolgirl near a petrol station in 2010. The body was clothed, but her undergarments were missing. Another woman’s face, according to him, had been burned with acid before being wrapped in newspapers.
Massive Public Outcry Fuels SIT Demand
The revelations have sparked nationwide outrage, particularly among human rights activists, legal experts, and families of missing women. A groundswell of public protest has taken shape, with placard-holding crowds demanding justice outside Belthangady court.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah responded on July 18, stating the government was not opposed to a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe—if the police report deemed it necessary.
“He [the whistleblower] has now given a statement under Section 164. He says he buried bodies and is ready to show the locations,” Siddaramaiah said.
Retired Supreme Court judge V. Gopala Gowda also supported the SIT call, warning of alleged coercion by the police.
“Police are coercing him to mark burial sites and leaking statements to outsiders,” Gowda
Not the First Time: The Unresolved Sowjanya Case
This isn’t the first time Dharmasthala has been under scrutiny. The 2012 rape and murder of 17-year-old Sowjanya remains unsolved. Her brutal death triggered a national uproar at the time, but critics say law enforcement failed to pursue leads due to political pressure.
Now, the whistleblower’s allegations have revived public interest in unresolved cases. Sujatha, mother of Ananya Bhat, an MBBS student who vanished in 2003, filed a fresh complaint on July 15. She fears her daughter may be one of the buried victims.
“I’m willing to take a polygraph test. The temple authorities should also be tested,” she urged.
Temple Influence and Political Fallout
Dharmasthala, located in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district, is revered for its religious heritage. The Lord Manjunatha temple is administered by the Jain Heggade family, with Rajya Sabha MP Veerendra Heggade as its current head. The unique temple is run by Jain trustees but follows Hindu rituals conducted by Brahmin priests.
Despite the allegations, BJP MLA Arvind Bellad has dismissed the claims as “baseless.” Yet legal voices like senior advocate Ojaswi Gowda have cautioned against brushing the matter aside.
“This involves influential individuals. The Sowjanya case was mishandled. We must not allow history to repeat itself,” she said.
Meanwhile, lawyers have submitted memoranda to the Chief Minister demanding an SIT under the supervision of a sitting judge from the High Court or Supreme Court.
Path Ahead: Justice for the Forgotten
As pressure mounts, activists and grieving families are seeking justice not just for one or two victims, but for what could be dozens—or even hundreds—of women whose fates remain unknown.
The Karnataka State Commission for Women has flagged systemic lapses in the region’s law enforcement. Meanwhile, investigators continue to assess the whistleblower’s claims and verify burial sites.
With mass graves, political influence, and gender violence at the core of the scandal, the public is watching closely. Will this case prompt long-overdue justice? Or will it be another chilling chapter left unresolved?