Despite digging deeper and wider, SIT finds no human remains at 13th spot in Dharmasthala

MANGALURU: The special investigation team (SIT) on Tuesday undertook exhumation at Point 13 in Dharmasthala amid heavy police security and in an expanded area, but no human remains were found on the 12th day. Digging by two excavators was taken up after an initial round of scanning with a drone-mounted ground penetrating radar.

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of the case. A team of officials, led by Ravi Singh visited the Belthangady taluk and the Belthangady and Dharmasthala police station. It also collected information from the gram panchayat and is expected to stay in Dharmasthala for a week.

The SIT chief Pronab Mohanty (right) also oversaw the exhumation.

The 13th marked spot had proved tricky for the SIT due to the presence of the Nethravathi check dam nearby and two electricity poles on the spot. On Tuesday, the SIT decided to expand the area for search by three times the originally marked spot and the area was cleared by the municipal workers.

After the gram panchayat officials informed the SIT that about 100 truckloads of mud had been dumped by the side of the road following flooding, the SIT first deployed a mini excavator at the site and then also brought in a regular excavator. However, despite digging 18 feet deep in a 22×8 sqft area, no human remains were found.

The anonymous complainant insisted that the SIT dig as deep as 20 to 40 feet. As water started entering the pit from the river, a diesel pumpset was also brought in. After the water level reduced, the SIT wound up the exhumation at the spot late in evening.