MANGALURU: The SIT is likely to carry out an expert survey before proceeding with exhumation at spot number 13, the only site yet to be excavated, as identified by the witness-complainant.
Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has not found any human remains at spot number 14, where digging began on Wednesday morning.
Sources in the SIT told TNIE that SIT chief DGP Pronab Mohanty, who is in Belthangady to oversee the exhumation, is likely to take expert opinion first due to multiple electricity lines and proximity of the spot to the main road. The use of the Ground Penetrating Radar(GPR) system and drone-mounted radars at the site is also under consideration, said sources.
The alleged burial site no 13 is located close to the main road in the vicinity of Nethravathi bathing ghat in Dharmasthala village.
Out of the 13 alleged burial sites shown by the witness-complainant, human remains were discovered in only spot no 6. On Wednesday, SIT dug spot no 14 which is about 80 meters away from spot no 11, where human remains including skull was found earlier. However, sources said no human remains have been found at spot 14.
The case traces back to allegations made by a whistleblower, a former sanitation worker who is also the witness-complainant, claiming he was forced to bury the bodies of individuals allegedly raped and murdered around a decade ago in Dharmasthala village.
Based on his complaint, a case was registered at the Dharmasthala police station on July 4, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted on July 19 to probe the matter.
Following the witness-complainant’s account, the SIT identified 13 suspected burial sites. Exhumation has been completed at 12 of these spots, while the final site, spot number 13, is yet to be excavated, and the reason for the delay remains unclear.