The arrest of a man who claimed to have buried victims of rape and murder in Dharmasthala has ignited a political and social storm, prompting a Special Investigation Team to seek the truth behind his startling allegations of widespread violence.
Allegations of Rape and Murder Rock Indian Temple Town, Leading to Investigation and Arrest
Allegations of Rape and Murder Rock Indian Temple Town, Leading to Investigation and Arrest
A former temple cleaner in Dharmasthala claims to have buried hundreds of victims; his allegations have sparked outrage and an ongoing police investigation.
Police in the Indian town of Dharmasthala, known for its historic temple of Manjunatha Swamy, have arrested a former cleaner who made shocking allegations regarding the burial of hundreds of women raped and murdered. The man's claims have thrown the town into disarray, once a revered destination for pilgrims in Karnataka.
The allegations led to the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to assess the validity of his statements amid considerable public outcry. An SIT official revealed that the man was detained for perjury after sharing a police complaint and a detailed statement in which he stated he buried the bodies of numerous young women and girls, some allegedly minors, during his employment at the temple from 1995 to 2014.
Though initially vague about specifics, the man mentioned various incidents, claiming he remained in hiding for years before his conscience urged him to speak out. While he did not identify specific individuals, he pointed a finger at the temple administration, which has categorically denied any wrongdoing. In an unusual display, the man presented a human skull to a magistrate as purported evidence, but investigators suggested it was not linked to his claims.
Following a media frenzy surrounding the allegations, the state government was compelled to launch an investigation amid concerns from the women's commission and persistent public scrutiny. The SIT initiated excavations at locations pointed out by the former cleaner and confirmed the discovery of human remains at two sites. Forensic tests are currently underway to establish the identity of the remains.
This deeply unsettling situation has attracted attention to the Heggade family, the hereditary leaders of the temple. Chief administrator Veerendra Heggade expressed his support for the SIT's investigation, emphasizing the importance of uncovering the truth.
Political ramifications of the allegations have been swift; discussions surrounding the case permeated recent sessions of the state assembly, with opposition members accusing the government of attempting to tarnish the temple's reputation. Karnataka’s Home Minister stressed the importance of revealing the truth, regardless of outcome, and the government’s commitment to justice will be carefully monitored by a watchful public.
