Shocking Revelations from Karnataka: Former Cleaner Alleges Hundreds of Bodies Disposed

A former cleaner at the Dharmasthala temple in Karnataka has made shocking allegations of disposing hundreds of bodies, mainly of women and girls, who were victims of violence. His testimony reveals a dark history of threats and fear, leading him to flee for years. After returning, he provided evidence to the police, including photographs of bones he secretly exhumed. The case raises serious questions about the temple administration and previous unsolved cases of disappearances and murders in the area. This alarming situation has prompted calls for a thorough investigation and protection for the whistleblower.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 6, 2026, 06:52 IST

Disturbing Claims from Dharmasthala

Shocking Testimony: A startling revelation has emerged from Dharmasthala, Karnataka. A former cleaner, who worked at the Dharmasthala temple for 19 years, has provided a statement to the magistrate claiming he disposed of hundreds of bodies, primarily of women and girls who were allegedly murdered after being raped. 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 made by a former cleaner who had worked for the temple administration from 1995 to 2014. He stated that between 1998 and 2014, he was forced to bury or cremate hundreds of corpses, most of which were women and underage girls showing signs of sexual assault and violence. He claimed that many bodies were found unclothed, with marks of strangulation or injuries from sharp objects.

Missing Skirts and Under Garments:
The cleaner recounted several horrifying incidents in his complaint. He mentioned being instructed to bury the body of a schoolgirl aged 12-15 in 2010. ये खबर आप गज़ब वायरल में पढ़ रहे हैं। The girl was found in her school uniform, but her skirt and undergarments were missing. Her body bore signs of sexual assault and strangulation. This body was buried near a petrol station close to Kleri. In another incident, he was ordered to cremate a 20-year-old woman's body, which had been disfigured by acid and wrapped in newspaper.

Threats and Fear:
He also revealed that he faced constant threats. His supervisors warned him, '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 Emerges 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. To prove his identity, he submitted his Aadhaar card and old employee ID. He expressed, 'If these bodies receive a dignified burial, it will ease my burden. The souls of these deceased deserve peace.'

He also mentioned that he could identify more burial sites and name the perpetrators but required protection under the Witness Protection Act of 2018. He indicated that some of the criminals are influential individuals connected to the temple administration. He expressed concern for his safety, handing over a sealed envelope containing the names of the offenders to Supreme Court lawyer K.V. Dhananjay, ensuring that the truth would come to light if anything happened to him.

Administration of Dharmasthala Temple:
It is important to note that Dharmasthala is a significant pilgrimage site located in the South Canara district of Karnataka, about 75 kilometers from Mangalore, attracting thousands of devotees annually. The temple is known for its unique traditions, where Hindu priests conduct rituals, but the temple administration is managed by the Jain community. Currently, the administration is under the Jain Hegde family, with Virendra Hegde as the hereditary administrator. The cleaner 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:
Such allegations are not new to Dharmasthala. In 2012, the rape and murder of a 17-year-old named Saujanya shocked the nation. The functioning of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to investigate this case faced numerous questions, with accusations of evidence tampering and shielding influential individuals. The 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 one of the unidentified bodies mentioned by the cleaner. She recounted that when she reported her daughter's disappearance to the police, they did not take it seriously, suggesting her daughter had eloped.

Covered Head to Toe Before the Judge:
Following the cleaner's testimony, on July 4, the South Canara police registered a case under Section 211(A) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). On July 13, to conceal his identity, he appeared before the Principal Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate First Class of Belthangady, fully covered. 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 on including an ADGP-level officer in the investigation, a forensic team, video recording of the inquiry, and immediate detention and questioning of all suspects, regardless of their status.

Moreover, the chairperson of the Karnataka State Women's Commission, Nagalakshmi Chaudhary, also wrote to the Chief Minister on July 14, questioning the police's inaction. She stated that when families report missing persons, the police often do not take it seriously. She has called for strict action on this matter.