Dharmasthala case: SIT begins search at new location near Bahubali Betta

Dharmasthala case: SIT begins search at new location near Bahubali Betta

Mangalore Today News Network

Belthangady, Aug 9, 2025: The search operation for alleged buried bodies related to past criminal activities in the jurisdiction of Dharmasthala Police Station is continuing, with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) initiating a fresh inspection at a new location on Saturday.

The operation began in the forest area at the foothills of Bahubali Betta, near the main entrance of Dharmasthala. SIT officers arrived fully prepared, accompanied by Puttur Sub-Divisional Officer Stella Varghese, Belthangady Tahsildar Prithvi Sanikem, a medical team, forest officials, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team, ISD personnel, and other authorities.

On August 8, SIT officials, along with an anonymous complainant, had conducted searches at two locations—site numbers 16 and 16A—in the Boliyar Gonkartar area of Dharmasthala village. Reports suggest that two additional sites were also dug, though the SIT has not issued an official statement about this.

On Saturday, the SIT brought the complainant to the new site. It remains to be seen how many locations the complainant will identify here. The on-site inspection process was completed earlier for the 13th site, but no further action was taken there. Now, the SIT has arrived to carry out the mahazar at the new location.

The anonymous complainant arrived at the Belthangady SIT office under police protection around 10:15 am today and left for the search site at 12:05 pm, reaching around 12:45 pm.

The anonymous complainant arrived at the Belthangady SIT office under police protection at around 10:15 am today, departed from Belthangady at 12:05 pm, and reached Dharmasthala village at around 12:45 pm.