The investigation into the alleged mass burials in Dharmasthala has moved into a crucial forensic phase, with Karnataka’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) conducting DNA analysis to establish the identities of skeletal remains recovered from a reserve forest. Investigators are matching DNA extracted from the remains with blood samples collected from relatives of 17 individuals reported missing over the years.
The forensic exercise follows the discovery of seven human skulls and other skeletal remains in the Banglegudde reserve forest during searches carried out in 2025. According to officials associated with the probe, blood samples from relatives of eight missing persons are already being examined, while efforts are underway to collect samples from the families of nine others for subsequent testing.
Authorities believe the DNA comparisons could help determine whether any of the recovered remains belong to individuals whose disappearances were reported in Karnataka and neighbouring states over the past several years. The site came under scrutiny after former sanitation worker Chinnaiah appeared before a court with a human skull and alleged that he had been forced to bury the bodies of rape and murder victims in and around the temple town. His claims prompted an extensive investigation, leading to the recovery of skeletal remains from the forest area.
Following the discovery, police initially registered Unnatural Death Reports at Dharmasthala police station before transferring the remains to the Forensic Science Laboratory in Bengaluru for detailed examination. Preliminary forensic findings indicate that all the recovered remains are believed to belong to male individuals.
Chinnaiah’s allegations became the foundation of the ongoing inquiry, prompting the Karnataka government to establish a Special Investigation Team to examine claims that multiple bodies had been secretly buried over a prolonged period.
However, Chinnaiah has since approached the Karnataka High Court, alleging that he had been drawn into a ₹200-crore conspiracy aimed at tarnishing the reputation of Dharmasthala and its Dharmadhikari, D. Veerendra Heggade. In his petition, he named several individuals, including activist Girish Mattannavar and actor Prakash Raj, and sought directions for the SIT to investigate the alleged conspiracy and take appropriate action.
Meanwhile, investigators have broadened their efforts to identify the remains by collecting missing persons records from the Karnataka State Crime Records Bureau, district crime records bureaus, and police stations across Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, and other neighbouring regions. Special attention is being given to cases involving individuals who reportedly went missing while visiting Dharmasthala, with several families approaching the SIT claiming their relatives disappeared in the temple town.
Officials said that personal documents recovered from the search site have provided potential leads in at least two missing persons cases. One document is an identity card believed to belong to 70-year-old U.B. Ayyappa from T. Shettigeri village in Kodagu district, who reportedly vanished around seven years ago. Investigators recovered the card near the skeletal remains.
Another lead emerged from the recovery of a driving licence believed to belong to Adishesha Narayana of Gubbi in Tumakuru district, who was reported missing in 2013.
Investigators have cautioned that these links remain unverified. The ongoing DNA analysis will be critical in confirming whether any of the recovered remains belong to the missing individuals whose families have provided, or are expected to provide, biological samples for forensic comparison.
