Karnataka State Commission for Women Demands Investigation into Alleged Mass Burials in Dharmasthala

Strategic Insights -

The Karnataka State Commission for Women has written to the state government demanding an investigation into allegations of mass burials of rape and murder victims in the temple town of Dharmasthala over the past two decades. The whistleblower, a former sanitation worker, claims to have buried hundreds of bodies between 1998 and 2014, and has alleged that those involved in the administration of the temple were responsible for the crimes. The advocates of the whistleblower have also written an open letter calling for the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under DGP Pronab Mohanty to investigate the allegations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Karnataka State Commission for Women has written to the state government demanding an investigation into allegations of mass burials of rape and murder victims in Dharmasthala over the past 20 years.
  • The whistleblower, a former sanitation worker, claims to have buried hundreds of bodies between 1998 and 2014, and has alleged that those involved in the administration of the temple were responsible for the crimes.
  • The advocates of the whistleblower have written an open letter calling for the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under DGP Pronab Mohanty to investigate the allegations.
  • The letter notes that there are allegations that police officials did not respond properly when families of victims went to file complaints about their missing children, or deaths.
  • The commission is seeking the formation of an SIT to investigate cases of missing women and students, unnatural death/murder cases, and rape cases that took place around Dharmasthala in the last 20 years.
  • The advocates of the whistleblower are insisting that the SIT be headed by senior IPS officer Pronab Mohanty and that the investigating officers and supervising personnel be individuals of unimpeachable integrity.

Statistics:

  • 20 years: The time period over which the alleged mass burials are said to have taken place.
  • 1998-2014: The period during which the whistleblower claims to have buried hundreds of bodies.
  • Hundreds: The estimated number of bodies allegedly buried by the whistleblower.
  • 2012: The year in which an SIT was formed to investigate a different case, but which concluded in a disaster and deep public dissatisfaction.

Sources:

  • IE Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd. dated 2025.
  • Contify.com without date.