Former Worker Alleges Mass Burials, Rape, and Murder at Karnataka’s Dharmasthala Temple🕯️
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A Whistleblower Steps Forward📍
New Delhi, India – A 48-year-old Dalit man has come forward with horrifying allegations against Karnataka’s renowned Dharmasthala temple after decades of silence and fear. The man, who worked as a sanitation worker from 1995 to 2014, told police on July 3 that he was forced to bury “hundreds of dead bodies” — including women, children, and destitute men — many of whom, he claims, were raped and murdered.
A Heavy Heart and Guilt💔
In his court testimony, the man explained that he came forward “with an extremely heavy heart to recover from an insurmountable sense of guilt.” Protected under Indian law, his identity remains confidential. “I can no longer bear the burden of memories of the murders I witnessed, the death threats I received, and the beatings I endured,” he said.
Disturbing Testimony of Hidden Crimes🕳️
He recalled being summoned to dispose of bodies found near the temple and Nethravathi River. Many victims, especially women and minors, were found naked or semi-clothed, bearing signs of brutal sexual assault, strangulation, or acid attacks. “They had torn clothes, no undergarments, and injuries to their private parts,” he recounted. Sometimes the bodies were burned using diesel to destroy evidence. “There were hundreds,” he claimed.
Threats and Escape🔪
Threatened with phrases like “We will cut you into pieces; we will sacrifice all your family members,” he endured years of trauma. In 2014, after someone linked to the temple harassed a girl in his family, he fled with his loved ones and went into hiding for a decade.
Skeleton Submitted as Evidence🦴
Recently, the man returned and exhumed a skeleton from one of the burial sites, submitting it to the police and court through his lawyer. Advocates of justice stress that even if there were “only two or three victims,” it warrants full investigation.
Chilling Case Details📚
- In 2010, he buried a girl aged 12-15, dressed only in a school uniform shirt. She had signs of sexual assault and strangulation.
- Another case involved a woman in her 20s, her face disfigured with acid. Her belongings were burned alongside her body to destroy all evidence.
A History of Violence and Suppression🕊️
Dharmasthala has seen rape and murder allegations since the 1980s. In 1987, protests erupted after 17-year-old Padmalata was raped and murdered. The 2012 “Justice for Sowjanya” movement was launched after another teen girl met a similar fate — a case still unsolved.
Legal Action and Government Response⚖️
Human rights lawyer S Balan has tracked these crimes since 1979. He claims hundreds of girls have disappeared under similar circumstances. He recently led a team to meet Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, prompting the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Temple Authorities Break Silence⛪
The Dharmasthala temple, led by the powerful Heggade family, has denied all wrongdoing but welcomed a fair investigation. Veerendra Heggade, temple head and Padma Vibhushan awardee, also serves as a BJP-nominated Rajya Sabha MP. Temple spokesperson K Parshwanath Jain stated: “We hope for a thorough and impartial investigation to bring out the truth.”
Families Seek Closure and Justice🕯️
Families of missing individuals are once again coming forward. Sujatha Bhat, whose daughter Ananya disappeared in 2003, has filed a new complaint. “Please find my daughter’s skeletal remains so I can perform her funeral rites with honour,” she pleaded.
The Call for Truth and Justice🙏
As the SIT begins its investigation, many are watching closely, hoping the truth — however painful — finally emerges, and justice is served for the countless lives allegedly silenced.
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