Suspected Human Remains Found at Spot 11 in Dharmasthala Mass Burial Case
Dharmasthala, Karnataka — In a chilling development on Day 6 of the ongoing investigation into the Dharmasthala mass burial case, suspected human remains have been unearthed at Spot No. 11, according to police sources.
This marks the second site where possible human remains have been discovered during the probe, following the earlier recovery of skeletal fragments at Spot 6 — believed to be male — last week.
A Growing Case of Hidden Horror
The mass burial case came to light after a former sanitation worker-turned-whistleblower alleged that he had been coerced into burying or cremating bodies of women and minors — many reportedly showing signs of sexual assault — between 1998 and 2014.
The whistleblower identified 15 locations, leading to a large-scale exhumation effort by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). Eight of the flagged sites lie along the banks of the Nethravathi River, while others are spread across nearby highways and rural areas.
Spot 11 is located near the highway close to the river, in a region the SIT has now prioritized for deeper excavation and forensic analysis.
Verification Underway
While senior officials have confirmed that “something” was recovered from Spot 11, forensic teams are still examining the material to confirm whether it is indeed human remains.
“We are verifying that. There will be more information once it is confirmed,” a senior SIT officer told reporters, maintaining caution amid the high public interest in the case.
The whistleblower accompanied the team during today's operation, further strengthening the credibility of his earlier testimony. His cooperation has been crucial in guiding investigators to key spots — and in locating the first pieces of physical evidence last week.
The Sites Under Investigation
Here’s a breakdown of the 15 burial and cremation sites flagged by the whistleblower:
Spots 1–8: Along the Nethravathi River
Spots 9–12: Beside the highway near the river
Spot 13: On the road connecting Nethravathi to Aajukuri
Spots 14–15: In the Kanyadi area near the highway
Each location is being methodically excavated and examined under strict forensic protocols.
What Happens Next?
If forensic testing confirms the remains at Spot 11 are human, it could mark a major breakthrough in what is shaping up to be one of India’s most disturbing criminal investigations in recent memory.
The SIT has urged the public and media to be patient as they continue their work. Meanwhile, the pressure is mounting on authorities to deliver justice for potentially dozens of victims whose fates remained buried for decades.