Karnataka Temple Town Dharmasthala in Grip of Hysteria over Rumours and Skeleton Discoveries
Since late July 2025, Dharmasthala, a revered temple town in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district, has been at the center of an intense investigation and public hysteria sparked by serious allegations. A former sanitation worker who served in the town has accused influential local figures of forcing him to secretly bury victims of assaults and murders from 1995 to 2014 in forested areas along the Netravati River.
Allegations and Investigations
The sanitation worker, known by the pseudonym "Bheema" on social media, alleges burial of numerous bodies—many suspected to be women and girls—who were victims of sexual violence and murder.
Following his allegations, the Karnataka government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) that has identified 13 potential excavation sites based on his testimony.
Excavation efforts in these identified locations have uncovered human skeletal remains, including parts matching forensic profiles consistent with the claims.
Police and forensic experts have confirmed some bones, including skeletal fragments that appear to belong to males, but the total scale and identities remain under verification.
DNA testing and further forensic analysis are ongoing to establish links between the discovered remains and missing persons or case files.
Community Response and Tensions
The revelations have sparked widespread hysteria, rumours, and calls for reopening of unsolved missing persons and assault cases in the region.
Some local authorities, including Dharmasthala Grama Panchayat representatives, have dismissed the allegations as exaggerated and stressed that proper official procedures are followed for unclaimed bodies handled by the Panchayat since the late 1980s.
Families of missing persons have come forward with renewed hopes for justice, leading to increased pressure on law enforcement.
Context of Dharmasthala
Dharmasthala is famed for the Sree Manjunatheshwara Temple, a major religious and cultural center in Karnataka attracting millions of devotees annually.
The temple administration and influential families wield significant authority over local affairs, creating complex social dynamics contributing to public unrest amid the allegations.
Official Statements
Police Superintendent Dr. K Arun and SIT members emphasize that all claims are under meticulous scrutiny with no premature conclusions.
The authorities have pledged transparency and thorough investigation, urging the public to await final forensic and legal outcomes.
Temple authorities have expressed support for a fair inquiry and hope the truth will surface.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Dharmasthala Temple Town Hysteria
Q1: What triggered the current investigation in Dharmasthala?
A former sanitation worker alleged he was forced to secretly bury bodies of victims of assaults and murders between 1995 and 2014.
Q2: How many burial sites are being investigated?
The SIT has identified 13 locations for excavation based on the whistleblower’s statements.
Q3: Have any human remains been found?
Yes, skeleton parts and bones have been recovered from some of the sites under investigation.
Q4: Are the allegations confirmed to be true?
Investigations are ongoing. Police state nothing is confirmed yet, and all findings will be verified meticulously.
Q5: What is the response from local authorities?
Local leaders and Panchayat officials have dismissed exaggerated rumours but support a thorough inquiry.
Q6: Has this case led to reopening of old missing persons’ cases?
Complaints and petitions have been filed urging re-investigation, especially by families of missing persons.
Published on: August 2, 2025
Published by: PAVAN
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