Dharmasthala Shrine Mystery: Two More Skulls Unearthed, Investigation Ongoing

Bengaluru (The Uttam Hindu): The mystery surrounding the much-talked-about mass burial at a religious place in Karnataka has deepened. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case found two more human skulls during a search operation on Thursday. This brings the total number of skulls recovered in the past two days to seven, creating a sensation in the area. Initial investigations have led officials to suspect the deaths were suicides, a stark contrast to initial claims in the case.

According to SIT sources, a joint team of police, forest department, and anti-Naxal force conducted the search operation across approximately 12 acres of densely forested area in the Bangalagudda Reserve Forest in Dakshina Kannada district. Five skulls were recovered on Wednesday, while two more were found on Thursday. Officials said the skulls appear to be of middle-aged men and the remains could be about a year old. A stick was also recovered from the spot along with other human remains.

This sensational case came to light in July this year when a former sanitation worker named C.N. Chinnayya claimed that he was forced to bury more than 100 bodies between 1995 and 2014. He alleged that these bodies were mostly of women and minors, who bore signs of sexual violence.

Formation of SIT: Considering the seriousness of the case, the Karnataka government formed an SIT on July 19 under the leadership of DGP Pranab Mohanty.

Twist in the investigation: Excavations were conducted at 17 sites during the investigation, but no significant remains were found. The story took a dramatic turn in August when the main complainant, Chinnayya, was arrested on charges of perjury.

Political slugfest: The issue has now taken a political turn. The BJP is accusing the state Congress government of tarnishing the image of the famous temple town of Dharmasthala, while the Congress is calling it a conspiracy.

Currently, all seven recovered skulls have been sent for forensic examination, the results of which will determine the exact time and cause of death. Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court is also monitoring the case, and the next hearing will be held on September 26th.