Shocking Allegations Emerge from Karnataka Temple: Former Employee Claims to Have Disposed of Hundreds of Bodies
Disturbing Revelations from Dharmasthala
Location: A shocking revelation has emerged from Dharmasthala, Karnataka. A former sanitation worker, who served at the temple for 19 years, has made a startling statement before a magistrate. He claims to have disposed of hundreds of bodies, primarily those of women and girls who were murdered after being sexually assaulted. Let's delve into the details of this alarming case.
On July 3, 2025, a complaint was filed at the Dharmasthala police station that left everyone stunned. The complaint was lodged by a former sanitation worker who had been employed by the temple administration from 1995 to 2014. He stated that between 1998 and 2014, he was compelled to bury or cremate hundreds of corpses, most of which were women and underage girls bearing signs of sexual violence. He alleged that many bodies were found unclothed, with marks indicating strangulation or injuries from sharp weapons.
Missing Skirts and Under Garments...
The sanitation worker recounted some horrifying incidents in his complaint. He mentioned being instructed to bury the body of a schoolgirl aged 12-15 in 2010. The girl was found in her school uniform, but her skirt and undergarments were missing. Her body showed signs of sexual assault and strangulation. This body was buried near a petrol station close to Kleri. In another incident, he was ordered to burn the body of a 20-year-old woman whose face was severely burned with acid, and her body was wrapped in newspaper.
Threatened and Forced into Silence
He also revealed that he faced constant threats. His supervisors warned him, saying, 'If you refuse, you will be chopped up and buried like these bodies.' Out of fear, he complied with their orders. However, in 2014, after his own underage daughter was sexually assaulted, he fled Dharmasthala and hid in neighboring states.
Truth Unveiled After 16 Years
After years of hiding, he gathered the courage to return in 2025. He presented his complaint to the police, providing not only his testimony but also photographs of bones he had secretly exhumed. He submitted his Aadhaar card and old employee ID to prove his identity. He expressed, 'If these bodies receive a dignified burial, it will lighten my burden. The souls of these deceased deserve peace.'
He also mentioned that he could identify more burial sites and name the criminals involved. However, he requested protection under the Witness Protection Act of 2018, fearing that some of the criminals are influential individuals connected to the temple administration. To ensure his safety, he handed over a sealed envelope containing the names of the offenders to Supreme Court lawyer K.V. Dhananjay, so that the truth could emerge if anything happened to him.
Who Oversees the Dharmasthala Temple Administration?
Dharmasthala is a significant pilgrimage site located in Karnataka's South Canara district, about 75 kilometers from Mangalore, attracting thousands of devotees annually. The temple is known for its unique tradition where Hindu priests conduct rituals, but the administration is managed by the Jain community. Currently, the administration is under the Jain Hegde family, with Virendra Hegde as the hereditary administrator. The sanitation worker alleged that some criminals are linked to the temple administration and wield considerable influence. He stated, 'The individuals I am naming are very powerful and capable of eliminating their adversaries.'
Previous Cases of Allegations
This is not the first time such allegations have surfaced in Dharmasthala. In 2012, the rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl named Saujanya shocked the nation. The functioning of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to investigate the case faced numerous questions, with allegations of evidence tampering and protecting influential individuals. The Saujanya case remains unresolved, and many believe justice has not been served.
Similarly, in 2003, the disappearance of an MBBS student, Ananya Bhatt, came to light. Her mother, Sujata, a former stenographer in the CBI, recently filed a new complaint at the Dharmasthala police station on July 15. Sujata believes her daughter could be among the unidentified bodies mentioned by the sanitation worker. She recounted that when she reported her daughter's disappearance to the police, they did not take it seriously, suggesting that her daughter had eloped with someone.
Covered Head to Toe Before the Judge...
Following the sanitation worker's testimony, the South Canara police registered a case under Section 211(A) of the Indian Penal Code on July 4. On July 13, he appeared before the Principal Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate First Class in Belthangady, covering his entire body to conceal his identity. On July 16, a group of lawyers met with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, demanding the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) overseen by a current or retired judge. They insisted that an officer of ADGP rank be included in the investigation, along with a forensic team, video recording of the inquiry, and immediate detention and questioning of all suspects, regardless of their status.
Additionally, the chairperson of the Karnataka State Women's Commission, Nagalakshmi Chaudhary, wrote to the Chief Minister on July 14, questioning the police's inaction. She stated that when families approach the police with complaints about missing persons, the police often do not take them seriously. She has called for strict action regarding this matter.