Dharmasthala mass burial allegations: What has happened since June 22? Where has the case reached?
Mangaluru: The "Dharmasthala mass burial allegations" began almost a month ago, specifically on June 22, 2025. The issue started when a letter, circulated on social media in the names of advocates Ojaswi Gowda and Sachin Deshpande, stated that an individual claimed to have buried hundreds of bodies to cover up numerous murders, rapes, and killings of women that occurred in Dharmasthala.
The letter also mentioned that the witness had decided to exhume the buried bodies in the presence of the police.
In this context, here is a brief overview of the developments from June 22 to July 19, 2025:
Timeline of Events
June 22, 2025: A letter from an individual claiming to have buried hundreds of bodies in Dharmasthala to cover up numerous murders, rapes and killings of women goes viral in the names of advocates Ojaswi Gowda and Sachin S Deshpande.
June 23, 2025: Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police (SP) Dr. Arun states that appropriate legal action will be taken if the individual with information about the crimes in Dharmasthala comes forward.
June 27, 2025: A team of advocates visits the SP's office but returns as the SP is not present. Advocate Ojaswi Gowda states that the viral letter is authentic and they intend to discuss it with the SP.
July 3, 2025: The individual claiming to have information about crimes in Dharmasthala files a complaint with the Dakshina Kannada SP. The DK SP states that appropriate legal action will be taken.
July 3, 2025: The complainant files a complaint through advocates, stating that he worked as a sanitation worker in Dharmasthala. He mentions being plagued by feeling of guilt, requests protection for his family, claims to have disposed of hundreds of bodies, and states he has exhumed the bodies in Dharmasthala and has evidence for this.
July 4, 2025: DK SP Dr. Arun Kumar states that an FIR (Crime No. 39/2025, under Section 211 BNS Act) has been registered at Dharmasthala Police Station regarding the Dharmasthala complaint.
July 5, 2025: DK SP clarifies that the complainant has not handed over any bodies buried in Dharmasthala to the police, but only photographs of bodies.
July 10, 2025: Union Mter Annapurna Devi urges the Karnataka government to conduct a detailed investigation into the alleged crimes in Dharmasthala. She expresses surprise that such incidents occurred over a long period (1995 to 2014) and were not known to anyone until now, calling it a serious matter.
July 11, 2025: The complainant claiming to have buried bodies in Dharmasthala appears masked before the Principal Civil Judge of Belthangady.
July 11, 2025: The complainant's lawyers state that the court refused to record the statement in the presence of lawyers.
July 11, 2025: The complainant gives a statement for about 1 hour and 20 minutes before the Principal Civil Judge of Belthangady.
July 11, 2025: Police bring the complainant from the court to the Belthangady police station. A forensic team arrives at the station. The complainant provides evidence and gives a statement.
July 11, 2025: Advocates Ojaswi Gowda and Sachin Deshpande, representing the complainant, announce that the police have agreed to provide appropriate protection to the complainant under the Witness Protection Scheme 2018.
July 11, 2025: The complainant's lawyer states that a skeleton has been handed over to the police. They clarify that the complainant has not been given into police custody.
July 11, 2025: DK SP Dr. Arun Kumar states that legal action will be taken regarding the "Dharmasthala mass burial allegations." The SP also states that a separate investigation, led by a DySP, will be conducted against those who revealed the complainant's identity.
July 12, 2025: YouTuber Sameer MD releases an AI-generated video with graphics related to the Dharmasthala complaint.
July 12, 2025: A case is registered against YouTuber Sameer MD, alleging the video contains false information created using AI.
July 13, 2025: SP Dr. Arun Kumar states that police have started an investigation into those who revealed the identity of the witness in the Dharmasthala complaint on social media.
July 14, 2025: The State Women's Commission urges a detailed investigation into the Dharmasthala death cases. Dr. Nagalakshmi Chowdhary, Chairperson of the Karnataka State Women's Commission, writes to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah requesting the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for the case.
July 15, 2025: The complainant's lawyers demand that an SIT led by IPS officer Pranab Mohanty be formed to investigate the alleged serial murders in Dharmasthala.
July 15, 2025: Sujatha Bhat, the mother of Ananya Bhat, a medical college student who disappeared in Dharmasthala twenty-two years ago, meets with the DK SP regarding her daughter's case.
July 15, 2025: Sujatha Bhat files a complaint at the Dharmasthala police station regarding her daughter's disappearance. She demands that her daughter's skeletal remains be found, subjected to DNA testing, returned to her, and that Hindu rituals be performed for her daughter's liberation.
July 16, 2025: A delegation of lawyers led by Balan and CS Dwarakanath meet the CM regarding the "Dharmasthala mass burial allegations," urging the formation of an SIT.
July 16, 2025: The complainant waits with his lawyers near the Netravathi Snana Ghat in Dharmasthala to provide information about the bodies he buried, but the police do not arrive at the scene.
July 16, 2025: DK SP Dr. Arun Kumar clarifies that there were no official police procedures planned for exhuming bodies on that day.
July 16, 2025: The DK SP states that there is intelligence information suggesting the “Dharmasthala complainant” might go into hiding. The investigating officers report to the court that a narco-analysis test will be conducted if the witness agrees. The SP states that appropriate legal procedures will be followed when the investigating officer determines it suitable to excavate the burial site.
July 16, 2025: The complainant's lawyers question why the mahazar (spot panchanama) of the location where the "Dharmasthala complaint" skeleton was found was not being done. They allege shocking delays by the police in the investigation and that the police were making baseless accusations.
July 16, 2025: The complainant's lawyers, Dheeraj SJ and Ananya Gowda, state that on July 14, the police recorded the complainant's statement at a specific location for over four hours. They assert that the complainant's current address was provided to the police on July 13, and therefore, it was incorrect for the police to say they didn't know the complainant's whereabouts.
July 17, 2025: Supreme Court lawyers urge the Kerala government to intervene in the Dharmasthala serial murder case. Supreme Court advocate KV Dhananjaya urges the Kerala Assembly to pass a resolution regarding the investigation of the case.
July 17, 2025: Retired Justice Gopalagowda urges the formation of an SIT under the supervision of a sitting or retired judge for the Dharmasthala serial murder allegation case. He alleges that, despite the statement being recorded in the Magistrate's court, the investigation was not proceeding properly.
July 17, 2025: Police state that witness protection was impossible when information about the Dharmasthala complaint's witness was unavailable. DK SP Dr. Arun Kumar states that a report had been submitted to the competent authority by the district police regarding this.
July 18, 2025: CM Siddaramaiah states that they must work legally regarding the Dharmasthala complaint and cannot act outside the law. He says the police are investigating, and they will see what needs to be done after the report comes. The CM adds that he is ready to form an SIT if necessary.
July 18, 2025: Ananya Bhat's mother, Sujatha Bhat, alleges misbehavior and breach of confidentiality by the PSI regarding the complaint. She files complaints with the Chief Justice of India, the Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court, the CM, the Home Minister, and others.
July 18, 2025: Supreme Court advocate KV Dhananjaya questions how many such cases the investigating officer appointed for the "Dharmasthala complaint" had solved. He demands that the government publicly clarify information about the appointed investigating officer for the Dharmasthala mass burial allegations case.
July 18, 2025: Social activist M Nagamani writes to Rahul Gandhi, urging him to direct the state government to form an SIT regarding the Dharmasthala mass grave allegation case.
July 19, 2025: Actor Prakash Raj urges CM Siddaramaiah to take urgent action to ensure evidence in the "Dharmasthala mass burial allegations" was not destroyed. He also requests the CM to take severe action against officials who had misled the investigation so far.
July 19, 2025: Home Minister Dr. G Parameshwara states that a higher investigation will be conducted if necessary. He says he had discussed it with the CM and a decision will be made if needed. The Home Minister questions the need for an SIT investigation, while the preliminary investigation was ongoing, asking what the purpose of the police department would be then.
July 19, 2025: Rajya Sabha MP from CPI P Sandosh Kumar writes to Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the "Dharmasthala mass burial allegations," demanding an NIA investigation.
July 20, 2025: On July 19, the government ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the Dharmasthala complaint case. The four-member SIT, comprising IPS officers, is headed by Dr. Pronab Mohanty, Director General of Police, Internal Security Division.
July 20, 2025: Actress Ramya demanded a fair investigation into the Dharmasthala complaint. In an Instagram post, she stated, "I am shocked to learn about the mass burials and the disappearance of women in Dharmasthala. We must know the truth."
July 20, 2025: Actor Rakesh Adiga described the Dharmasthala complaint case as "a major wound on Karnataka's history." In a post on X, he urged the government, stating, "It is your sacred duty to uncover the truth and ensure justice."
July 21, 2025: Anish Joy, a former resident of the Belthangady taluk (including Dharmasthala) who now lives in Kerala, filed a complaint at the Taliparamba police station in Kerala. He alleged that his father was murdered in a vehicle accident over a land dispute.
July 21, 2025: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Karnataka High Court, led by advocate Shriram T. Naik, demanding that the investigation into the 'Dharmasthala serial murder allegation' be supervised by the High Court.
July 21, 2025: Speaker U.T. Khader stated that the SIT will conduct the investigation and urged for patience. He said, "The truth will be revealed after the investigation. Legal action will follow. We should introspect before making prejudiced statements."
July 21, 2025: Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka advised against spreading propaganda about the Manjunatha Swamy Temple in Dharmasthala. He stated, "The government has formed an SIT based on an anonymous person's claim. Let there be an impartial investigation. It should not be aimed at framing anyone."
July 21, 2025: MP and former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai demanded that the SIT investigation be time-bound and conducted lawfully, without targeting any specific individuals.
July 21, 2025: A rights group demanded the appointment of a Supreme Court judge to lead the investigation into the serial murder allegations, expressing no confidence in the state-appointed SIT.
July 22, 2025: Home Minister G. Parameshwara announced that the SIT would visit Dharmasthala soon to begin a comprehensive investigation and that local police have been notified.
July 22, 2025: Manjunath N., the advocate for Sujatha Bhat (mother of Ananya Bhat), urged the government to establish a helpline for filing complaints related to the case.
July 22, 2025: A group of activists, led by Sharanabasappa Kabja from Bengaluru, who had walked to Dharmasthala demanding "Justice for Sowjanya," were stopped by another group at the main entrance.
July 22, 2025: The 'Naveddu Nilladiddare-Karnataka Okkoota' federation demanded an impartial SIT investigation, urging police to secure the alleged burial sites and exhume the bodies.
July 22, 2025: The YouTube channel 'Third Eye' approached the Supreme Court to challenge a lower court's ban on media reporting regarding the alleged mass burials.
July 22, 2025: Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao challenged BJP leaders, stating, "Let the leaders of Dakshina Kannada district claim the SIT probe is politically motivated." He clarified that the government formed the SIT due to pressure from the public and various organizations.
July 23, 2025: Director General of Police Dr. M.A. Saleem appointed 20 police officials and personnel, from the ranks of SP to Constable, to the SIT.
July 23, 2025: The Supreme Court declined to hear the 'Third Eye' channel's appeal against the media ban, instructing the petitioner to approach the High Court first.
July 23, 2025: Sujatha Bhat's lawyer announced that national and international experts have offered technical assistance for the grave exhumations, which could significantly help in uncovering the truth.
July 25, 2025: The SIT arrived in Mangaluru, held a meeting with senior police officials, and collected case-related documents from the Dharmasthala police station.
July 25, 2025: A complaint was filed at the Kadugodi police station against Power TV and its head, Rakesh Shetty, for allegedly defaming the complainant in the mass burial case.
July 26, 2025: The SIT held a meeting at the IB office in Kadri, Mangaluru. Later, the complainant appeared before the SIT and was interrogated for over eight hours by DIG M.N. Anucheth and SP Jitendra Kumar Dayama.
July 27, 2025: The complainant's interrogation continued for a second day, this time under the leadership of SIT head Pronab Mohanty. Mohanty also inspected the newly established SIT office in Belthangady.
July 28, 2025: The SIT, accompanied by the complainant and Forest Department officials, conducted a site inspection (mahazar) at the alleged burial sites, including a location in a dense forest and near the Netravati Snanaghatta. A total of 13 locations were identified by the complainant.
July 28, 2025: Former DySP Anupama Shenoy demanded the replacement of Pronab Mohanty as the SIT chief.
July 28, 2025: Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka alleged that the Kerala government was behind the "anonymous Muslim" complainant.
July 28, 2025: Sujatha Bhat's lawyer demanded the arrest of Dharmasthala Gram Panchayat Vice-President Srinivas Rao for allegedly misleading the investigation by claiming all bodies were buried with proper documentation. Following this, police were deployed to guard the 13 identified sites overnight.
July 29, 2025: The SIT began excavation at one of the sites with heavy police presence.
July 30, 2025: On the third day of the operation, the Forest Department denied permission to use a Hitachi excavator, forcing the use of manual labor. Excavations at the second and third identified sites yielded no remains.
July 30, 2025: At one of the sites, a torn red blouse, a PAN card, and an ATM card were discovered. Meanwhile, the SIT launched a helpline (WhatsApp, phone, email) for the public to provide information.
July 30, 2025: Sujatha Bhat's lawyer claimed that the site with the highest number of alleged bodies has not yet been identified among the 13 locations.
July 31, 2025: The search operation continued for a third day. At the sixth identified location near the Netravati river, bone fragments were discovered.
July 31, 2025: SIT sources revealed that the PAN card found earlier belonged to a person who died of jaundice in his village in 2025.
July 31, 2025: Following the discoveries, Sujatha Bhat's lawyer reiterated the demand for the immediate arrest of Gram Panchayat Vice-President Srinivas Rao for allegedly spreading false information.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Ready to face no-confidence motion, says Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah
Hassan (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that the Congress government led by him was ready to face the no-confidence motion if moved by the opposition during the legislature session from December 8.
With Deputy CM D K Shivakumar by his side, he reiterated that they would both abide by the high command's decision on the leadership issue.
"Let them (opposition) bring in a no-confidence motion or adjournment motion or any other motion. We are ready to face it. Ours is an open book, transparent government. We are ready to face anything," Siddaramaiah said in response to a question.
However, BJP state President B Y Vijayendra and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R Ashoka, clarified that the party, along with the JD(S) has not discussed or decided anything so far regarding moving a no-confidence motion against the government.
ALSO READ: CM Siddaramaiah labels Kumaraswamy 'Manuvadi' over Bhagavad Gita curriculum push
The winter session of the Karnataka legislature will begin in Belagavi, bordering Maharashtra, on December 8 and will go on till 19th of this month.
Not wanting to react to a question on the leadership issue, the CM said the Congress high command is very strong.
"D K Shivakumar and I will be committed to whatever the high command decides," he said.
Earlier in the day in Bengaluru, Shivakumar accompanied AICC Mallikarjun Kharge till airport from Vidhana Soudha, after paying tributes to B R Ambedkar on his 69th death anniversary, which had led to some speculation about possible discussion between the two on the leadership issue.
The power tussle within the ruling party had intensified amid speculation about a change in chief minister in the state, after the Congress government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20.
However, both the CM and Deputy CM had recently held breakfast meetings at each others residences, on the instructions of the high command, which is seen as a move to pause the leadership tussle between the two and to signal Siddaramaiah's continuation as the CM for the time being, especially ahead of the Belagavi legislature session.
