Overview
Investigators in Dharmasthala have uncovered human remains at a site linked to past allegations of secret burials, sparking renewed focus on possible unreported deaths and long-standing questions about local suicides and missing persons. This episode explores unexplored angles behind these findings, community concerns, and ongoing investigative challenges.
Recent Developments in the Dharmasthala Probe
- Human remains were found at spot six near the Nethravati river, one of 13 locations identified by a whistleblower.
- The whistleblower, a former sanitation worker, claimed to have buried multiple bodies between 1995 and 2014.
- With remains found, initial doubts about the whistleblower’s allegations are lessened, strengthening the case's seriousness.
- The SIT first verified the whistleblower’s identity and his local ties before exhumations began.
Challenges Ahead for Investigators
- The main task is to identify the recovered remains, which depends on finding living relatives for DNA matches.
- Few missing persons' complaints exist, so the SIT encourages more families to come forward.
- Determining cause of death (murder, suicide, or sexual assault) is essential to the investigation.
- If a crime is established, identifying the perpetrator remains a complex process.
Historical Context and Unexplained Patterns
- Police records (2001–2012) note 451 suicides across Dharmasthala and Ujjire, with 180 victims unidentified.
- Many deaths occurred at specific locations, especially near the Snana Ghatta and Nethravati river.
- Local authorities buried some bodies in forest areas, raising questions about permissions and procedures.
- Lack of details in RTI disclosures, such as age or evidence of assault, limits understanding of the deaths’ nature.
Community Concerns and Ongoing Calls for Answers
- Activists and affected families have sought explanations for years regarding missing persons and unrecorded deaths.
- Previous cases, like that of Padmalatha, remain unsolved, with families believing foul play involved.
- Villagers question the official narrative attributing high death rates solely to suicides.
Broader Impact and Next Steps
- The investigation has broken a longstanding silence, prompting hopes for greater scrutiny and potential justice for ignored cases.
- There is skepticism over the likelihood of full accountability but acknowledgment that public awareness has increased.
Questions / Follow-Ups
- Were all bodies on record properly identified and post-mortems conducted?
- Did authorities obtain required permissions to bury bodies in forest lands?
- Where are burial records maintained, and can future claims by families be processed?
- Are there unrecorded deaths beyond those acknowledged by police records?
Action Items
- TBD – SIT: Encourage families with missing members to file complaints or provide DNA samples.
- TBD – Panchayat: Clarify burial practices and record-keeping for bodies interred in forest areas.
- TBD – Reporters: Continue ground reporting and seek additional RTI responses regarding unrecorded deaths or missing data.