Arrest Rocks Dharmasthala Mass Burial Case
BANGALURU : In a startling development in the Dharmasthala mass burial case, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested the whistleblower—former sanitation worker —for perjury and false evidence. The arrest came after investigators uncovered serious inconsistencies in his statements and documents.
Authorities noted that the skull produced as evidence by the complainant was fake, and only one male skeletal remain was discovered at one of the fifteen sites he had identified. The SIT remanded him to 10 days of custody and initially subjected him to a medical check-up before court appearance.
Fallout from False Claims: A Web of Questions
This arrest follows revelations that other claims in the case also lacked credibility. A woman who earlier alleged her daughter went missing in 2003 retracted her statement, attributing it to coercion. Meanwhile, legal pressure began mounting on those spreading misinformation—especially a YouTuber and a lawyer—for allegedly contributing to confusion during the excavation.
The SIT, initially formed on 19 July under DGP Pranab Mohanty, had conducted exhumations at thirteen sites between late July and early August. It found remains only in two locations, casting doubt on the credibility of the initial claims. The SIT is now shifting focus to documenting its findings and determining whether these false claims were part of a broader conspiracy.
Political Reverberations Amplify the Case’s Impact
What began as a criminal probe into heinous allegations has morphed into a highly politically charged issue. The BJP has portrayed the case as an attack on Hindu institutions, urging multi-agency investigations. Conversely, the Congress-led government maintains commitment to uncovering the truth, regardless of religious considerations. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar stressed that justice—not politics—guides their approach.