Dharmasthala case: SIT examining panchayat records on unnatural deaths from 1980 onwards

MANGALURU: The special investigation team (SIT) probing the Dharmasthala case, is preparing to sent the three human skulls and other skeletal remains found in Banglegudda area for forensic examination. All three were found just below the surface level and at least one of the skulls is that of a male.

The SIT is also going through all panchayat records with respect to unnatural deaths between 1980 and 2025 and questioning those who signed on the records including former panchayat presidents, panchayat development officers and staff. This comes after Girish Mattannanavar expressed apprehension that the panchayat records may have been tampered with and unidentified bodies buried. He had also lodged a complaint in this regard to the SIT.

Meanwhile, Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi has also lodged a complaint at the Belthangady police station alleging that there were four unnatural death in three lodges between 2006 and 2010. He claimed that the gram panchayat had declared them as unidentified persons and had buried the bodies in a hurry.

In a related development, Pradeed, an aide of Sowjanya’s uncle Vitthal Gowda, recorded his statement under Section 183 before a magistrate on Friday. The SIT is likely to rope in Pradeep as a witness in the case.

A court reserved it judgment for September 16 on a plea by masked complainant Chinnaiah seeking bail. Chinnaiah, who is currently lodged in the Shivamogga district jail, was sent to judicial custody last Saturday after his custody with the SIT ended.