The Karnataka authorities has designated the Particular Investigation Staff (SIT) probing the alleged mass burial case in Dharmasthala as a police station underneath the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
A notification dated August 6, 2025, states, “The particular investigation staff (SIT) fashioned by authorities order is hereby notified with the ability to observe investigative procedures and submit a closing report back to the involved courtroom underneath the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.” It additionally designated an officer of the rank of police inspector or above throughout the SIT because the Station Home Officer (SHO).
This implies the SIT can now register FIRs and file chargesheets in instances investigated by it.
The SIT, fashioned on July 19, was arrange after allegations surfaced of mass homicide, rape, and unlawful burials in Dharmasthala spanning the final twenty years. The complainant, a former sanitation employee employed within the city between 1995 and 2014, alleged that he was compelled to bury quite a few our bodies — together with ladies and minors — some displaying indicators of sexual assault. He has additionally offered an announcement earlier than a Justice of the Peace.
The Particular Investigation Staff probing the alleged mass burial case in Dharmasthala carried out a brand new search operation on Friday at a brand new location in Boliyar, following particular info offered by an nameless complainant-witness.
In response to officers, the brand new enter offered particular clues that prompted the staff to look at the world. Forensic specialists and technical employees accompanied the SIT through the inspection, which was carried out underneath tight safety.
The SIT has not launched any particulars about findings from the brand new web site up to now. Officers maintained that each one leads are being pursued with due diligence and that additional actions shall be guided by forensic assessments and authorized procedures.
The investigation has drawn public and political consideration. Authorities have urged the media and public to chorus from hypothesis and permit the SIT to finish its work with out interference.
The complainant, a former sanitation employee whose identification has not been disclosed, claimed that he was employed in Dharmasthala between 1995 and 2014. He alleged that he was compelled to bury a number of bodies–including these of ladies and minors–some of which bore indicators of sexual assault.
(With PTI inputs)
