Excavation Planned at Mangaluru Pilgrimage Site Amid Grave Allegations
Excavation of Burial Sites in Mangaluru
Mangaluru, July 30: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating claims of a mass grave at a well-known Hindu pilgrimage site in Mangaluru district is scheduled to excavate three burial locations on Wednesday, as confirmed by sources.
Due to the sensitive nature of the allegations, authorities have decided to accelerate the excavation process and have established three teams to manage the operation.
The excavation will occur under the supervision of three tehsildars. All three burial sites, part of the 13 identified, are situated within a reserve forest adjacent to the Nethravathi River, necessitating the use of manual labor for the excavation.
The complainant, who alleges to have buried numerous bodies of women and young girls who were reportedly raped and murdered, will accompany the SIT team. He is being escorted to the site in a suit and mask to protect his identity due to perceived threats to his safety and that of his family.
On Tuesday, the SIT team excavated the first burial site near the Nethravathi bathing area, digging to a depth of 8 feet and a width of 15 feet. However, sources indicated that no skeletons or skulls were discovered, and the site was subsequently refilled.
The complainant stated that he had dug trenches approximately 3 to 3.5 feet deep for the burials. The SIT has sought permission from the Forest Department to utilize a small JCB machine for further excavation efforts.
Karnataka's Home Minister G. Parameshwara emphasized that the case is being treated with utmost seriousness and that a thorough investigation will be conducted.
In a significant development, on July 11, the unidentified complainant, who alleged he was compelled to bury multiple bodies of women who were raped and murdered in Dharmasthala village, appeared in court in Mangaluru district to provide his statement.
He recorded his statement under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) before the Principal Civil Judge and First Class Judicial Magistrate.
The complainant revealed that he fled from the Hindu pilgrimage site 11 years ago and further alleged that the bodies of the women exhibited clear signs of sexual assault, being found without clothing and bearing injuries indicative of violence. These shocking revelations have sent ripples across the state.