Government transfers Dharmasthala mass burial case to SIT
Karnataka Home Department issues formal order
Mangaluru: The Karnataka government has officially transferred the investigation into the shocking Dharmasthala serial murder allegations to a Special Investigation Team (SIT), following explosive media reports and a formal request from the Karnataka State Women’s Commission.
In a government order dated July 19, 2025, the Home Department announced the formation of the SIT to conduct a comprehensive and impartial probe into the disturbing allegations, including mass graves, sexual violence, and the disappearance of women and students in and around Dharmasthala over the past two decades.
Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Dr. Arun K. confirmed the development in a press statement, saying: "The government has officially handed over case number 39/2025 of Dharmasthala Police Station to the SIT as of July 19. The team will soon assume charge of the investigation."
The probe stems from a chilling statement submitted by a former sanitation worker in court, claiming to have buried hundreds of human bodies in the Dharmasthala region. On July 12, national media outlets, including Times Now, reported the discovery of a human skull and the testimony of a family alleging the disappearance of a female medical student.
The Karnataka State Women’s Commission took serious note of these reports and, in its letter dated July 14 (Ref: 481/2025-26/7817), urged the state government to constitute an SIT. The Commission highlighted patterns of unnatural deaths, rape, disappearances, and brutal violence spanning over two decades, predominantly involving women and girl students.
The SIT will be led by Dr. Pronab Mohanty, IPS, Director General of Police (Internal Security Division), Bangalore, who will act as the Chief of the team. Other members include:
M.N. Anucheth, IPS, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Recruitment), Bangalore
Soumya Latha, IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police, CAR Headquarters, Bangalore City
Jitendra Kumar Dayama, IPS, Superintendent of Police, Internal Security Division, Bangalore
The SIT has been empowered to investigate not only the registered case (Crime No. 39/2025 under Section 211A of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) but also any other related criminal cases that may have been registered or could be registered in other police stations across Karnataka.
The team has been instructed to operate out of the Dakshina Kannada district police headquarters and may draw upon available local resources. It is also mandated to submit periodic updates to the Director General and Inspector General of Police, and ultimately, a final investigation report to the state government via the DGP's office.
The order, issued by S Ambika, Under Secretary, Department of Home (Crimes), was circulated to senior officials including the Chief Secretary, Home Minister’s Secretariat, and Principal Secretaries of rlevant departments.
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Talks about split coaching surprising, important for people to stay in their domain: Gambhir
Visakhapatnam (PTI): India head coach Gautam Gambhir on Saturday came down heavily on theories doing the rounds on social media about split coaching, terming them "surprising" and asked those opinion-makers to stay "in their domain."
After India’s recent 0-2 Test series defeat against South Africa, some influential cricketing names, including an IPL team owner, asked the BCCI to consider appointing separate coaches for red-ball and white ball formats.
"Look, there were a lot of talks because the results didn't go in our favour (in Test series). But the most surprising thing is that not once did any media or journalist wrote that our first Test match (in Kolkata) was played without the captain (Shubman Gill), who didn't bat in both innings (because of a neck injury)," Gambhir said during the post-match press meet after India clinched the ODI series against SA 2-1.
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Gambhir said such opinion makers should refrain from making remarks that have no direct connection with on-field cricketing matters.
“Some people also said things that have nothing to do with cricket. An IPL team owner (Parth Jindal of Delhi Capitals on X) also wrote about split coaching.
“So this is surprising. It's very important for people to stay in their domain. Because if we don't go into someone's domain, then they also don't have the right to come into our domain,” Gambhir added.
Gambhir had also stated his achievements as the red-ball coach in the post-match press conference at Guwahati in what looked like a self-defence mechanism after a series defeat at home.
“I don't give excuses in press conferences. It doesn't mean that you don't show the facts in front of the world or the country. When you go through a transition and when you lose your captain, who is also your main batter in red-ball cricket against such a team (SA).
"Then obviously the results are difficult because you don't have that much experience in red ball cricket. And the surprising thing is that no one even talked about it. All the discussions about wickets, I don't know what all things were said," he noted.
