Dharmasthala, Karnataka | July 2025 — In the quiet temple town of Dharmasthala, long revered for its spiritual heritage, a sinister tale has surfaced — a story of alleged mass graves, rape, murder, and systematic cover-ups.

A former sanitation worker, employed by the Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala temple administration (1995–2014), has come forward with shocking claims: he was coerced into disposing over 100 bodies, many allegedly victims of sexual assault and murder, under threats from powerful local figures. His testimony, coupled with exhumed skeletal remains, has sent shockwaves across India, reigniting unresolved cases and exposing alleged systemic failures.

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A Whistleblower’s Guilt and the Weight of Secrets

The man, whose identity remains protected, submitted a complaint to Dharmasthala Police on July 3, 2025, revealing that for nearly two decades, he buried or burned bodies at the behest of influential individuals.

In his handwritten statement, he recalled:

“Many of the female bodies were without clothing or underwear. Some showed clear signs of sexual assault and violence — wounds, strangulation marks…”

Among the most haunting accounts:

• The burial of a 13-year-old schoolgirl in 2010, found near a petrol station with her uniform intact but undergarments missing.
• A woman’s face burned with acid and wrapped in newspapers.

Fearing for his life, the whistleblower fled Dharmasthala in 2014 after his family faced assaults. Consumed by guilt, he resurfaced on July 11, 2025, appearing before the Principal Civil Judge and JMFC, Belthangady, under heavy security. He handed over skeletal remains he allegedly exhumed himself — now key evidence in this unfolding horror.

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Dharmasthala’s Shadowed Past

Nestled in Dakshina Kannada district, Dharmasthala’s spiritual reputation has often been clouded by dark allegations. The Heggade family, powerful Jain administrators of the famed Lord Manjunatha Temple, have faced murmurs of influence over local affairs for decades.

Key unresolved cases haunting the town’s legacy:

• 2012 — Sowjanya Case: The brutal rape and murder of 17-year-old Sowjanya, marred by police inaction and SIT lapses. The accused Santosh Rao was acquitted in 2023 due to “lack of evidence.”
• 2003 — Ananya Bhat’s Disappearance: A first-year MBBS student vanished during a college trip. Her mother, Sujatha (ex-CBI stenographer), lodged a fresh complaint on July 15, 2025, fearing her daughter might be among the unnamed victims.
• 1986 — Padmalatha’s Death: Suspicious circumstances dismissed by authorities.
• 2018 — KJ Joy’s Death: A Kerala native’s suspicious death, brushed aside as accidental.

These cases, resurfacing in the wake of the whistleblower’s revelations, highlight alleged cover-ups and a chilling pattern of unresolved disappearances.

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The Demand for Justice and a System Under Fire

Activists, legal experts, and victims’ families have united in demanding an independent, transparent investigation.

On July 14, Karnataka State Commission for Women Chairperson Nagalakshmi Choudhary wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, advocating a Special Investigation Team (SIT) not just for mass grave claims, but to probe two decades of unsolved crimes and missing persons cases in Dharmasthala.

She highlighted systemic rot:

“Victims’ families were routinely dismissed or intimidated when they sought justice.”

Responding to mounting public pressure, the Karnataka Government formed an SIT on July 20, 2025, under DGP Pronab Mohanty, with senior officers M.N. Anucheth, Sowmyalatha, and Jitendra Kumar Dayama.

However, skepticism remains. The whistleblower, in a letter to the Chief Justice of India on July 18, raised concerns about potential leaks and vested interests within the system.

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The Road Ahead: Truth, Justice, or More Silence?

As the SIT begins its probe, the nation watches closely:

• Will the investigation pierce the alleged veil of influence surrounding Dharmasthala?
• Will decades-old cases finally see justice?
• Or will this, too, fade into India’s long list of unresolved horrors?

For many grieving families and activists, this case is about more than buried bodies — it’s about unearthing a culture of silence, systemic complicity, and institutional betrayal.

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Conclusion

The Dharmasthala Horror, as it’s now called, has shaken faith in more ways than one. It challenges India to confront uncomfortable truths: about power, justice, and the lives of the voiceless.

The nation demands answers. The victims deserve justice.

Stay tuned with Bharat Tone for factual updates on this sensitive case.