Dharmasthala's Mystery: CM Vows Action as SIT Digs into Chilling Claims
Mob violence, rape claims, and buried bodies under probe.
A violent clash near the holy town of Dharmasthala has triggered widespread concern, with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assuring strict legal action against those responsible. The altercation, which broke out on August 6 between two groups at Pangal Cross, comes amid explosive allegations of mass murders and secret burials in the area—now under investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Tensions flared when YouTubers interviewing a witness were attacked by a mob, leading to stone-pelting, protests, and police intervention.
The Chief Minister stated that no one would be spared if found guilty, regardless of affiliation. “Whoever has committed a wrong, action will be taken in accordance with the law,” he told reporters. Home Minister G Parameshwara echoed the sentiment, saying that both complaints and counter-complaints had been received and that a full police inquiry has been ordered. He confirmed that the police were asked to investigate the cause, the people behind the violence, and their intentions.
According to police, the violent incident occurred while journalists from three YouTube channels were conducting an interview related to an ongoing SIT probe into alleged mass burials. The clash escalated rapidly, with groups exchanging abuse and throwing stones. The police had to carry out a mild lathi charge to disperse the crowd. One of the groups later held a protest outside the Dharmasthala police station, demanding action against those allegedly defaming the sacred site.
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The roots of the tension trace back to sensational claims made by a former sanitation worker, who alleged that between 1995 and 2014, he was forced to bury numerous bodies—some reportedly of rape and murder victims—around Dharmasthala. His chilling confession under Section 164 of the CrPC has already led the SIT to exhume skeletal remains from at least six locations, one of which has reportedly yielded the remains of a male. All findings have been sent for forensic examination.
Parameshwara stated that while rumors and provocative statements are circulating, the government is not interfering in the SIT’s technical investigation. “The SIT will decide the course of the probe, and the truth will emerge through their work,” he said. The team, formed after mounting public pressure, is tasked with uncovering the truth behind alleged decades-long crimes involving murder, rape, and illegal burials.
As the investigation deepens and tensions mount, the state government faces increasing pressure to deliver answers. With disturbing allegations, violent reactions, and political implications at play, Dharmasthala is now at the center of one of Karnataka’s most shocking and sensitive cases in recent memory.
Also Read: Shocking Mass Burial Probe Intensifies in Dharmasthala
