Dakshina Kannada, India – July 13, 2025:
The controversial Dharmasthala burial case has taken a new turn as Dakshina Kannada police announced they will consult with the complainant and his legal counsel before making a decision on whether to change the current Investigating Officer (IO) or constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The police move follows growing public pressure and media scrutiny over the handling of the case, which alleges the secret burial of victims of murder and sexual assault in Dharmasthala village.
In a statement issued late Saturday evening (July 12), the police acknowledged calls from sections of the public demanding either a new IO or a SIT to ensure a transparent probe. “Police will also have to ascertain with the advocates representing the complainant whether they were aware of the demand,” the statement noted. It also subtly criticized certain public remarks made by the complainant’s advocates, stating that “some statements made by the advocates of the complainant to the media on July 11 are factually wrong,” without specifying the inaccuracies.
YouTuber Booked for Spreading Misinformation
Adding to the complexity of the case, a local YouTuber identified as M.D. Sameer has been booked by Dharmasthala police for allegedly spreading “false and fictitious information” in connection with the burial case. On July 11, a case (Crime No. 42/2025) was registered under Sections 192, 240, and 353(1)(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
According to the police, Sameer’s content allegedly included exaggerated or fabricated claims beyond the scope of the original complaint and court submissions, potentially inciting public unrest. The statement emphasized that “the extra information given by the YouTuber, in addition to what the complainant had stated in his complaint and before the court, were false and fictitious.”
Background of the Case
The case was initiated after a complainant, who claims to have worked as a sanitary worker in Dharmasthala between 1995 and December 2014, filed a complaint on July 3. He alleged that he had been forced to bury multiple bodies, purported victims of rape and murder, within the Dharmasthala region nearly a decade ago. These startling revelations have reignited public debate over long-standing unsolved crimes in the area, including the infamous Sowjanya rape and murder case.
On July 11, the complainant appeared before the Principal Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate First Class in Belthangady and submitted skeletal remains he claims to have exhumed personally. His statement was recorded before the Magistrate, and the remains were seized by the police in the presence of his legal representatives and panch (independent) witnesses.
Police had earlier registered an FIR under Section 211(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita on July 4 following a court’s permission to proceed with the investigation.
Witness Protection and Legal Safeguards
In a significant development underscoring the gravity of the allegations, the Witness Protection Scheme was invoked for the complainant, with district authorities approving protective measures on July 10. The complainant has requested anonymity, and his identity remains undisclosed for security reasons.
Public Response and Growing Pressure
The revelations have sparked widespread public interest and concern, particularly given the historic sensitivity of criminal allegations in and around Dharmasthala. Civil society groups and legal observers have begun calling for independent oversight or a judicial probe, fearing potential suppression or mishandling of evidence.
As the case continues to unfold, all eyes are on the police and district administration regarding the next steps—whether a change in the Investigating Officer or the formation of a Special Investigation Team will be formally approved to ensure impartiality and justice in a case that could have far-reaching implications.
