Dharmasthala mass burial claims: What was found, what wasn’t and why forensics now hold the key

Dharmshala burial case

The Special Investigation Team’s (SIT) hunt for answers in the Dharmasthala alleged burial case has now shifted from the spade to the laboratory, with soil and skeletal samples becoming the most critical pieces of evidence under scrutiny, according to The New Indian Express.

The Dharmasthala case, which has gripped Karnataka and drawn nationwide attention, traces its origins to disturbing allegations by a former sanitation worker who claimed he was coerced into burying and burning hundreds of bodies, mostly of women and minors, in temple town Dharmasthala between 1995 and 2014.

The case first came into public view in late June 2025, after the worker approached advocates Ojaswi Gowda and Sachin Deshpande, stating his willingness to help authorities locate alleged grave sites, as reported by India Today.

Following pressure from legal activists and public outrage, the Dharmasthala police registered an FIR based on the worker’s detailed complaint. On July 11, the complainant appeared before a Belthangady court and presented skeletal remains that he claimed to have exhumed himself. His statement asserted he had been forced over years to dispose of bodies, many of which he alleged showed signs of assault. Due to the gravity of his claims, he was immediately placed under witness protection, India Today reported.

The mounting pressure led to the formation of the SIT, headed by Director General of Police Pronab Mohanty, to carry out a thorough probe. The SIT subsequently launched excavations at multiple sites identified by the whistleblower, including areas along the Nethravathi River and forested parts of the village.

While the initial rounds of digging across 17 designated sites yielded minimal skeletal remains, bones and fragments were ultimately found at a few locations, including the sixth and eleventh sites. Items such as a PAN card and torn garments were also recovered, but connections to missing persons proved elusive as some of the documentation traced back to individuals who had died elsewhere and by other means, such as jaundice.

The absence of tangible discoveries has placed added weight on forensic science to determine whether burials did, in fact, occur. Each excavation was closely supervised with forensic experts in attendance. The skeletal remains unearthed at the different locations have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for DNA and chemical analysis to determine potential causes of death, possible signs of trauma and any links to the alleged crimes.

During exhumations, forensic teams collect not just bone material but also at least 500 grams of surrounding soil to test in tandem. These controlled procedures are designed to prevent contamination and preserve any chemical or archaeological markers. Matching soil chemistry with bone analysis helps determine if substances such as arsenic or lead are naturally occurring or the result of foul play.

The laboratory process itself is lengthy. As reported by The New Indian Express, chemical and forensic testing of the collected samples may take anywhere between 45 to 90 days. While the evaluations are underway, the SIT will continue pursuing parallel lines of investigation.

In addition, the SIT videographed the entire exhumation process as part of official documentation, as outlined by media reports. Meanwhile, the SIT has temporarily paused further excavations, awaiting the results of DNA tests that are expected to provide crucial evidence regarding the origins of the remains, as per The New Indian Express.

Authorities from the Dharmasthala Grama Panchayat, responding to intense media and public scrutiny, stated that more than 200 unclaimed or unidentified bodies have routinely been buried in various parts of the village since 1995, often along riverbanks or on government land due to the lack of a public cremation ground, following legal protocols where necessary.

As per India Today, the complainant maintained that he witnessed all forms of attempts to dispose of evidence, including burning bodies on the instructions of his superiors and stated that psychological torment and threats eventually forced him into hiding.

The investigation is ongoing, with the SIT emphasising its reliance on “documentary evidence” and “field-level inputs.” Officials have underscored that any further action will depend on the forensic and DNA analysis currently underway, which they expect to either corroborate or contradict the sensational allegations now under the national spotlight.