Dharmasthala Search for Skeletal Remains Enters Day 2 with No Findings

Fast Summary

• Incident: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is investigating allegations of skeletal remains buried in Dharmasthala between 1995 and 2014 but has not discovered any human remains so far.
• Search Details:

– On Tuesday, the SIT began digging at one of 13 sites identified by a whistleblower; no skeletal remains were found.
– On Wednesday, four more spots (2, 3, 4, and 5) in the forest area were dug up; all yielded no human remains.
– Pits were dug at least six feet deep as per the complainant’s satisfaction.

• Recovered Items: A PAN card belonging to a male and a Rupay debit card belonging to a female were found less than half a foot underground at site#1 on Tuesday. Investigations are ongoing to trace these individuals or their families for further insights.
• Next Steps: SIT plans to continue excavating additional spots shown by the whistleblower on Thursday.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The absence of skeletal remains during preliminary excavations raises questions about the veracity of claims made by the whistleblower but also underscores the need for thorough investigation before drawing conclusions. The recovery of personal identification items-namely, a PAN card and debit card-potentially opens new avenues for inquiry into whether these individuals are connected with the alleged incidents. If corroborative evidence emerges from subsequent digs or investigations tracking down relatives linked to these items, it may lend credibility to initial allegations.

From an institutional perspective, this case tests India’s capability for forensic investigation and handling sensitive accusations implicating historical wrongdoing over decades.Assuming all exhumation processes remain transparent and objective, uncovering truths behind such cases could strengthen public trust in investigative agencies like SIT.

Read More: Published – July 30, 2025