Bengaluru: Stating that there are reasons that will become evident soon, noted Supreme Court advocate Dhananjay KV, on Wednesday issued a press statement that the Kerala government should pass a resolution in the state assembly that the Dharmasthala Mass Burial Case be investigated to the highest standard of honesty, integrity and competence.
The statement further urged the Kerala government to pass the resolution also stating that the Kerala Police will be afforded the opportunity to assist the aforesaid investigation.
This comes after the complainant in Dharmasthala mass burials case had submitted a detailed complaint to Supreme Court Advocate KV Dhananjay, along with copies of his Aadhaar card, voter ID registered in Dharmasthala-Belthangady, and an ID card issued by the Dharmasthala temple administration, to safeguard the truth in the event of his death or disappearance.
The advocate further recommended that the Kerala Police be allowed to assist in the ongoing investigation, which would require the state government to approach the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. “It should do so without any delay,” Dhananjay stated in his letter, suggesting that the Kerala government may already be aware of certain crucial facts or could soon come to know of them.
Advocate KV Dhananjay
The case has come under national spotlight following a chilling confession made by a former sanitation worker affiliated with the Dharmasthala temple administration. The individual recently told Dakshina Kannada police that he was coerced into burning and burying the bodies of multiple women, including minor girls, who had allegedly been raped and murdered over a 16-year span.
The worker, whose identity is currently being protected, claimed to have buried more than 100 bodies in and around Dharmasthala under pressure from undisclosed perpetrators. On July 11, he submitted a sworn statement before the Belthangady court, even bringing a skeletal remain, which has since been handed over to authorities for forensic testing. The whistleblower has sought protection for himself and his family, fearing retaliation.
According to advocates Ojaswi Gowda and Sachin Deshpande, who are representing the complainant, the whistleblower also submitted photographic evidence of recently exhumed remains to the police.
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Belthangady: Labourers have begun digging operations near the Netravati bathing ghat in Dharmasthala at a riverside location identified by the key witness in the ongoing investigation.
Despite heavy rainfall hampering the operation, workers have commenced excavation at the first spot marked by the complainant. The SIT has prioritised this location as part of its search for possible buried remains.
The development has drawn large crowds, with hundreds of curious onlookers gathering near the Netravati ghat to witness the activity. Once excavation at the initial site is complete, the team is expected to move on to the next identified location.
Officials have indicated that the search team is likely to exit the forest area only during the midday meal break.