The notorious mass murder and rape case linked to Karnataka's Dharmasthala has taken a startling turn. A mysterious whistleblower is guiding the police and Special Investigation Team (SIT) to sites where, he claims, hundreds of women were secretly buried or cremated over two decades. Clad in a black jacket, his head and face concealed, this enigmatic figure raises countless questions: Who is he? Where did he come from? Why the disguise? What is his link to these horrific events?
Recently, the whistleblower appeared before the Belthangady court in the same somber attire, delivering testimony that left many in attendance clutching photos of missing daughters, sisters, and beloved family members, hoping for the truth to finally surface.
Who is the Mysterious Whistleblower?
This whistleblower is not an outsider but a former janitor at the renowned Manjunatha Temple in Dharmasthala for nearly 20 years. He alleges that from 1995 to 2014, he was coerced into the clandestine task of disposing of women’s bodies, victims of heinous crimes. These acts were allegedly carried out under the direction of certain influential figures within the temple management.
Cases That Chill the Spine
A member of the local Dalit community, this whistleblower claims he didn't just witness these atrocities but was directly involved, often burying victims' bodies himself. He recounts instances like that of a school-uniform-clad girl found near a petrol station in 2010, her undergarments missing; another woman had her face marred with acid and was wrapped in a newspaper. These are just a few of the chilling realities documented in a letter he handed over to the police on June 3, 2024.
Lived in Hiding for a Decade
In 2014, after a family member was allegedly assaulted, fear drove him away from Dharmasthala. Living in secrecy for nearly a decade, guilt eventually compelled him to return in 2024 and expose the horrors. He unearthed skeletons, captured photographs, and submitted them alongside his Aadhaar card and old employee ID as evidence to the police.
Claiming his life is in danger, he's entrusted a sealed envelope containing the names of those allegedly orchestrating these events to Supreme Court Senior Advocate K.V. Dhananjay. The envelope is to remain unopened unless any harm befalls him or his family.
Source: aajtak
Transfer of the Investigation Team's Leading Officer
Disturbing developments have unfolded as the officer leading the investigation, IPS Pranab Mohanty, has been abruptly reassigned to Central Deputation. This unsettling move happens as the inquiry reaches a sensitive juncture, raising numerous questions about the timing and implications of such a decision.
