Police in India have arrested a man who recently claimed he was coerced into burying hundreds of female bodies that he alleged were victims of rape and murder. These claims have stirred controversy in Dharmasthala, a small religious town in Karnataka, which is home to an important temple that attracts many pilgrims.
In response to the man’s allegations, the state government established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the matter. An unidentified SIT official confirmed the arrest was made on charges of perjury. The man, who worked as a cleaner at the temple from 1995 to 2014, initially filed a police complaint in July detailing incidents where he alleged he had buried the bodies of numerous girls and women, some of whom he claimed were minors. He stated that he had been hiding since 2014, and chose to come forward due to a guilty conscience.
During a magistrate appearance, he presented a human skull as evidence, claiming it belonged to one of the buried victims. However, the SIT official noted that the remains did not originate from any of the alleged burial sites.
The investigation has involved excavations at various locations in and around Dharmasthala, based on the man’s guidance. Some findings, including a skull and nearly 100 bone fragments, have been sent for forensic examination, although their identities remain unknown.
The allegations have led to significant public discourse and political implications, drawing attention to the influential Heggade family, who administer the temple. Veerendra Heggade, the chief administrator, has publicly welcomed the SIT investigation, expressing confidence in the judicial process. In contrast, he labeled the cleaner’s claims as “impossible.”
Discussions in the state assembly have also reflected a division in opinion about the legitimacy of the allegations, with some political leaders emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation to ascertain the truth without bias.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgm2z9zjgx7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss