Dharmasthala case: Skeletal remains, PAN, ATM cards found

DHARMASTHALA: Partial skeletal remains, suspected to be of a man, were found on the third day of exhumations by the special investigation team (SIT) probing into alleged mass burials near Karnataka's Dharmasthala town.

The remains were found about 4ft deep at the sixth of 13 alleged burial sites identified by the complainant. Discovered in a forested area near the Netravathi river, the remains included 15 bones - some broken - but no skull, officials said. A forensic doctor at the site said the bones were from a male individual, though a final confirmation would come only after a full forensic examination.

"Forensic doctors and officers at the scene seized the body parts after noting down the details," an SIT official said. Puttur subdivision assistant commissioner Stella Verghese was present during the exhumation work.

The SIT also recovered PAN and debit cards from the first site exhumed two days ago. Five sites were exhumed on Tuesday and Wednesday but no human remains were found. The complainant, a former sanitation worker, has claimed he was coerced to bury over 100 bodies - mostly of women and minors - in Dharmasthala between 1995 and 2014. He led the SIT to 13 suspected burial locations.

"The deceased was an alcoholic," an SIT official said, adding he might have lost the card during Dharmasthala visit. The probe gained momentum Thursday with the inclusion of nine more senior officers.