Dharmasthala mass-burial case: 5 big questions that raise a stink

India Today

4 days ago

Charges of a chilling rape-murder and mass burials have rocked the serene temple town of Dharmasthala in Karnataka. Allegations by a sanitation worker-turned-whistleblower — that he was forced to bury and cremate hundreds of bodies, mostly of women and minors, many showing signs of sexual assault and violence between 1998 and 2014 — have shaken society. The outcry from activists and lawyers has only grown louder, prompting the Karnataka government to order a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the charges of mass burials, in which members of the Dharmasthala temple administration were allegedly involved.advertisementThe whistleblower's complaint to the Dharmasthala police on July 3 sparked public outrage and revived memories of the unresolved 2012 Sowjanya rape-murder case — where, despite years of investigations, court battles, and public outcry, justice was never served. The perpetrator of the crime remains unknown, and the lone accused was eventually acquitted.Following the whistleblower's fresh complaint and growing demands for a thorough investigation, including by the Karnataka Women's Commission, the Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government formed an SIT on July 20, to probe the allegations of mass burials, sexual violence, and systematic cover-ups.
However, the BJP, while backing the SIT probe, has alleged a conspiracy."There is no wrongdoing in Dharmasthala. If a SIT wants to investigate, let it be done. There is no problem with that,' said former CM and BJP leader BS Yediyurappa."The state government has formed an SIT, the investigation has to happen at the earliest... We are also aware of the conspiracies behind it [the allegations]. If any attempts are made to destroy the system there keeping this issue, we will think about what to do further," said Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra, according to a PTI report.However, despite the formation of the SIT and growing public pressure, several critical questions remain unanswered, casting doubt on the renewed allegations, the families' responses, the course of investigations, and the handling of this long-simmering controversy.Here are five key questions that demand clarity.1. HOW HUNDREDS OF BURIALS AND CREMATIONS REMAINED SECRET?The whistleblower claimed hundreds of bodies were buried or burned in secret, often near the Netravathi River, over nearly two decades.The town's importance, visited by thousands of pilgrims daily, and frequented by politicians and celebrities, raises scepticism about how such large-scale operations went unnoticed.The whistleblower alleged that bodies were disposed of in locations chosen for quick decomposition, but the lack of prior reports or suspicions in a tightly-knit community is perplexing.Advocates of the whistleblower have argued that systemic failures in local law enforcement may have enabled the alleged secrecy, with allegations of police inaction when families reported missing persons. The SIT must investigate how such alleged crimes evaded scrutiny in the high-profile spiritual centre.2. WHY AREN'T MORE FAMILIES OF VICTIMS COMING FORWARD?advertisementThe whistleblower's claim of hundreds of victims suggests a staggering number of families affected. Yet only Sujatha Bhat, whose daughter Ananya disappeared in 2003, has filed complaints since the allegations surfaced earlier this year.The absence of reports from families raises questions about the scale of the claims or potential fear of reprisal.The Karnataka State Commission for Women has noted a history of inadequate police response to missing persons cases, which may have discouraged families of potential victims.The SIT's mandate includes probing disappearances, but the lack of proactive family testimonies remains a critical gap and may hurt the investigation.3. WHY DID THE WHISTLEBLOWER EMERGE AFTER A DECADE OF SILENCE?The whistleblower, a former sanitation worker at the Dharmasthala, claimed he fled the town in 2014 after years of threats and trauma, particularly following the alleged assault on a family member.His sudden reappearance now, after a decade in hiding in a neighbouring state, has sparked curiosity as to why now?The whistleblower, in his complaint, cited guilt and a desire for justice for the dead for his appearance. Reports said that along with the complaint, he attached images of skeletal remains he exhumed for evidence.advertisementHowever, his prolonged silence raises questions about his motivations or external influences. The SIT will ovboiusly verify his claims and assess why he chose this moment to come forward after a decade-long silence.4. WHY DIDN'T THESE CLAIMS SURFACE DURING THE 2012-13 SOWJANYA PROTESTS?The 2012 rape and murder of 17-year-old Sowjanya in Dharmasthala, and the State's response, triggered massive protests and allegations of police inaction and interference by influential figures.Yet, the whistleblower's claims of mass burials of hundreds did not emerge during that period when the case was scrutinised.Sowjanya's rape-murder was also probed by the CBI.The absence of claims is striking, given the public outrage and demands for justice over a decade ago. The SIT must explore whether systemic cover-ups or fear suppressed such revelations or if the whistleblower's claims lack historical corroboration.Now, advocates from Karnataka have urged the government to establish a dedicated helpline for victims' families. This might help the families of the alleged victims to come forward.advertisement5. WHY HAVEN'T POLICE BEGUN EXHUMING ALLEGED BODIES?Despite the SIT's formation on July 20, and the whistleblower's offer to identify burial sites, no exhumations have been reported as of Thursday.The police have sought court permission to conduct tests like brain mapping and narco-analysis on the whistleblower, but said that excavating the alleged burial sites would be done at the appropriate time, even though such a step could clearly establish whether the whistleblower's claims hold water or not. And if his claims on the scale of the crime are true.This has raised concerns about the investigation's pace and intent, given that previous probes have been alleged to be superficial, delayed, or influenced by powerful interests.Advocates of the whistleblower have flagged potential leaks of the whistleblower's statements, which amplify the possible tampering risks. The SIT must act swiftly to verify the physical evidence and address public scepticism about the investigation's integrity, as that's the only way the allegations can be put to rest.As the SIT will be probing the allegations, the nation is awaiting answers to the pressing questions, which will determine whether justice is served or if investigations in Dharmasthala reach a dead end like it did in the Sowjanya rape-murder case.- Ends
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