The serene temple town of Dharmasthala in Karnataka, a revered pilgrimage site, is currently at the heart of a disturbing controversy following explosive allegations of mass rapes, murders, and burials spanning nearly two decades. Recent testimony from a former sanitation worker has brought to light horrifying claims, reigniting calls for a thorough, independent investigation into a pattern of alleged atrocities that many fear have long been suppressed.
The Whistleblower’s Chilling Account The current uproar began with a former sanitation worker, whose identity is being protected, who came forward with a handwritten complaint and later testified in court. He alleged that between 1998 and 2014, he was coerced into burying or burning the bodies of over a hundred victims, predominantly women and minors. His chilling account describes victims showing signs of sexual assault, brutal violence, and even acid burns, with some bodies being found without clothing. He claimed he was threatened with death if he refused to comply with these horrific demands and that some perpetrators were linked to influential figures, possibly within the temple administration.
Driven by guilt and a deep desire for justice, the whistleblower, who fled Dharmasthala temple in 2014 after an alleged assault on a relative, has now returned, risking his life to expose what he claims is a systematic cover-up. He has reportedly submitted physical evidence, including skeletal remains, and offered to guide investigators to the alleged burial sites.
Connecting the Dots: The Sowjanya Case and Missing Persons These new allegations have cast a fresh, grim light on unresolved cases from the past, most notably the 2012 rape and murder of 17-year-old Sowjanya. Her case, despite multiple probes by the CID and CBI, remains unresolved, with the lone accused acquitted in 2023 due to lack of evidence. Many activists and the victim’s family have long alleged police inaction and interference from powerful individuals.
The whistleblower’s testimony also resonates with the long-standing pleas of families whose daughters and loved ones went missing in or around Dharmasthala temple over the years. For instance, the mother of Ananya Bhatt, an MBBS student who vanished in 2003 after visiting Dharmasthala temple, has filed a fresh complaint, believing her daughter might be among the unidentified victims. Reports indicate an alarmingly high number of “unnatural death reports” in the small town, far beyond what could be considered a statistical anomaly.
Calls for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) The gravity of the allegations and the historical context of unresolved cases have intensified public pressure and calls from activists, legal experts, and opposition parties for the formation of a high-level Special Investigation Team (SIT). They argue that only a central agency with complete independence can ensure a fair and impartial investigation, free from local influence.
While a BJP MLA has dismissed the allegations as “baseless,” the Karnataka state government has indicated that it is open to considering an SIT probe based on the police investigation report. However, concerns have been raised about the speed of the investigation, the police’s reported difficulty in contacting the whistleblower, and alleged leaks of sensitive information.
Conclusion The Dharmasthala temple mass burial allegations have deeply shaken Karnataka and ignited a fierce demand for accountability. As legal proceedings unfold and investigations commence, the focus remains on unearthing the full truth and ensuring that justice is finally delivered to the alleged victims and their grieving families, hopefully bringing an end to decades of unanswered questions.
