In a shocking development in the temple town of Dharmasthala, Karnataka, police have arrested a former temple cleaner who claimed to have buried the bodies of numerous women who were victims of rape and murder. These startling allegations have created a frenzy in the small religious community, which is home to the centuries-old temple of Manjunatha Swamy, an important site for countless pilgrims.
The man, whose identity remains confidential and has been seen publicly with his face covered in black, filed a police complaint earlier this month, stating that he was compelled to unduly bury hundreds of bodies while working at the temple from 1995 to 2014. He provided detailed accounts of several incidents wherein victims, including minors, were murdered and buried. He explained that he had chosen to speak out now to alleviate his conscience after living in secrecy for nearly a decade.
Despite his dramatic assertions, the allegations have been met with firm rejection from the temple’s chief, who labeled them as "false and baseless." During a hearing, the former cleaner presented a skull he claimed belonged to one of the victims he buried in the area, citing it as evidence. However, officials from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) stated that the remains produced were not from the claimed burial sites.
Following the man's sensational claims, the Karnataka government established an SIT to investigate the allegations amid growing media attention and pressure from the state's women's commission. The SIT began excavation at several sites identified by the cleaner and has uncovered human remains, including a skull and other bone fragments, which are now undergoing forensic analysis.
The allegations have also led to a political uproar, spotlighting the Heggade family, who have been hereditary administrators of the temple for generations. Veerendra Heggade, the chief administrator, emphasized his cooperation with the investigation and his belief in the integrity of legal proceedings.
The evolving situation has resonated on multiple levels, leading to extensive debate within the Karnataka assembly, where the opposition criticized the allegations as an attack on a revered Hindu site. Home Minister G Parameshwara has asserted that the investigation aims to uncover the truth, regardless of outcome, to ensure justice prevails.
As investigations continue, the local and national spotlight remains fixed on Dharmasthala, awaiting the results that will determine the future of both the temple's legacy and the truth behind these disturbing assertions.
