Dharmasthala Horror: Human Bones Unearthed At 4-Foot Depth In Alleged Mass Burial Site Near Nethravati River

Mangaluru: In a chilling turn to the Dharmasthala mass burial probe, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has recovered partial human skeletal remains at site number 6, located near the bathing ghat of the Nethravati River. The discovery was made on Thursday, July 31, the third day of the exhumation process, after disturbing allegations were made by a former sanitation worker who claimed he had been coerced into burying the bodies of women and minors in the village.

The remains, unearthed from a depth of approximately four feet, have been securely transported for forensic examination. SIT officials maintained a tight security cordon around the site during the operation and have not yet issued an official statement on the find or the next steps in the investigation.

#WATCH | Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka | Earlier visuals of Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the matter wherein a sanitation worker claimed that he was forced to bury and cremate hundreds of people around the Dharmasthala area.

Visuals from the Dharmasthala police station. pic.twitter.com/gLQQHKpZhU

— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2025

Search Intensified After 5 Digs

The SIT had earlier marked 13 suspected burial sites based on the witness’s testimony. Over two days, five of these were excavated with no human remains found. On Thursday, however, officials returned better equipped, bringing in a mini earthmover, water pump, and pipes to drain waterlogged areas. Plastic sheets were used to shield the dig site from the rain.

The breakthrough came as the complainant witness guided investigators to site number 6, where skeletal fragments were found shortly after digging began. Work continued under close observation after the remains were removed from the scene.

FSL Analysis Underway

Authorities confirmed that the bones and accompanying samples will undergo a detailed forensic analysis. Meanwhile, the SIT has established an office at the Inspection Bungalow (IB) in Mallikatte, Mangaluru to coordinate the ongoing investigation.

While the SIT has yet to publicly detail the nature or number of remains recovered, the findings have sent ripples through the region, reviving questions about long-standing rumours of forced burials and possible cover-ups.